LIBRARY Of CONGRESS, 






'UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 



" Bailey's Series of Practical Masonry. 
THE SECRETARY'S 

SPECIAL HELP; 

A MOKETOE FOR THE 

SECRETARY OF THE LODGE; 

CONTAINING 

All information proper to be published, which is necessary 

to quality him for the important duties of his station; 

particularly those of Keeping the Minutes of the 

Lodge ; Posting up the Records ; Keeping 

the Financial Accounts of the Members ; 

and Taking Notes of Proceedings 

on Masonic Trials. 

LIKEWISE, 

A Set of Forms of all manner of Official Documents.- 
likely to pass through his hands. 



" Him that — publisheth peace; that hringeth good tidings of 
good, that publisheih Salvation." —Is. lii. 7. 



SECOND EDITION. 

*+* 



c CHICAGO, ILLINOIS! 

PUBLISHED BY BROTHER J. C W. BAILEY, 

Northwestern Masonic Publishing House,, 164 Clark Street 

1867, 
V 












Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1866,. 

BY J. C. W. BAILEY, 

In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United 
States for the Northern District of Illinois. 



THE PUBLISHER'S PREFACE. 



The writer of this volume undertook, some ten years 
since, to prepare tiie history of a certain Grand Lodge, a 
task which involved an examination, not only of the records 
of the Grand Lodge itself, but also those of many of the 
constituent Lodges. In the researches which this necessity 
demanded, he discovered an astonishing contrast between 
the records of Lodges, some of them being exceedingly rich 
in details, others barren and uninteresting. The one formed 
in themselves a history of the Lodges, the other no more 
resembled a history than a skeleton resembles a man; being 
only dry sketches of " members present 1 ' and " work-done." 

Again; in some of these records of Lodges, the Masonic 
biography of every member was given from the moment he 
entered the Northwest corner of the Lodge, to the moment 
he was deposited, amidst the sighs and tears of his brethren^ 
in the bosom of mother earth. This made it easy to see 
who were the alumni of such lodges ; who had done credit 
to their alma mater; and what contributions those Lodges 
had made to the history of Masonry universal. 

On the other hand, others of these records gave so little 
beyond the jejune minutes of a careless scribbler, that it 



4 PUBLISHER'S PREFACE. 

was always difficult, and in many instances impossible, to 
trace back the biography of any given member even to the 
salient facts of his initiation and his death. Such was the 
contrast observed- by the writer, in the many Lodge-recorda 
that came under his observation. 

It was in this way that he learned to deduce this import- 
ant axiom that " it is not so much what a Lodge does, that 
makes its histoiy as what its Secretary records of its doings,' 
and " that an indifferent Secretary is the murderer of hi3 
Lodge." These axioms form the theory of the volume now 
presented to the Masonic public. 

Among the many volumes of greater or less merit issued 
recently from the Masonic Press, none is specially proposed 
to fill a want which every Lodge and Secretary keenly feels. 
Heretofore the Secretary has been compelled by the neces- 
sities of his position, to blunder over his task, to invent his 
own system and to measure his performance of duty by his 
own ideas of right and wrong. With this " Special Help" 
before him, it is hoped that his task hereafter, will be less 
difficult and uncertain ; that more uniformity will be found 
in Lodge records ; that the valuable facts of Masonic history 
will not be allowed to perish for want of a chronicler, and 
that Lodges will better appreciate the services of the really 
meritorious men who fill their Southeast. 



THE SECRETARY'S 

SPECIAL HELP. 



CHAPTEK L 

i&ENSEAL THEORY <OF HIS OFFICE. 



SECTION FIRST. 

Historical Sketch. 

Few things eonduee more to the welfare of Lodges, thas 
the selection of proper persons for Secretaries. The Lodge 
that has been fortunate in securing the services of such a 
person, and retaining hisa for a term of years in its Southeast,, 
<until he becomes familiar with the condition of its finances 
•and its general history, and endears himself to its membership 
'by his fidelity, punctuality and general efficiency, finds itself 
in every way profited thereby. Its pecuniary interests are 
anost favorably affected through his exertions ; its facilities for 
doing good work are increased. Its position before the Grand 
Lodge and tfae Craft m general, is elevated, and the social and 
moral interests under its charge, are correspondingly advanced. 
Happy sueh a Lodge i Happy the brotherhood who can sppre- 



t* THE SECRETARY'S 

ciate fidelity, experience and aptness in the person of him who 
wears its- Cross-pens and rescues its- history from oblivion I 

Taking another standpoint and observing one of those 
Lodges that indulge in frequent changes in the Seeretariship, 
and that are not successful in securing that Ezra r — "the right 
man in the right place/ we detect a loose- method in all its- 
proceedings. A shadow of uncertainty rests upon its records. 
Its pecuniary affairs are complicated and embarrassed. The 
brethren hesitate to pay their contributions under the uncer- 
tainties that surround the Southeast. Their collections are- 
retarded ; the charities of the Lodge suffer, and the social 
machinery of the Lodge is out of joint. 

The office of Lodge-Secretary is comparatively a modern 
one, the duties of that position prior to 1721 having been 
performed by the Master or one of the Wardens of the Lodge. 
In the " Old Regulations," approved and confirmed by the 
Grand Lodge of England in 1121, the oldest records of 
Masonry extant, we find the following : 

" The Master of each particular (or subordinate) Lodge, or 
one of the Wardens, or some other brother by t?ie appointment 
of the Mastei\ shall keep a book containing their By-laws, the 
names of their members, and a list of all Lodges in town (of 
London) with the usual times and places of their forming, and 
also all the transactions of their own Lodge that are proper 
to be written." — Art. III. 

Again, in a subsequent article, we find the following 
directions : 

M The Secretary (of the Grand Lodge) shall be a member of 



SPECIAL HELP. 7 

the Grand Lodge by virtue of his office, and shall vote in 
everything except in choosing Grand Officers. The Grand 
Master or Deputy has authority always to command the Treas- 
urer or Secretary to attend to him with their clerks and books 
in order to see how matters go on, and to know what is expe- 
dient to be done on any emergency." " Theie shall be a book 
kept (for the Grand Lodge) by the Grand Master or Deputy, 
or rather by some brother appointed Secretary of the Grand 
Lodge, wherein shall be recorded all the Lodges, with the 
usual times and places of their forming, and the names of all 
the members of such Lodges ; also, all the affairs of the Grand 
Lodge that are proper to be written." — Art. XIII. 

This is all that the ancient records afford concerning an office 
which, in modern times, has bourgeoned into the most import- 
ant position, except that of Master, in the Lodge. It is easy 
to see how this has occurred. The fact that the collection of 
the finances and the formation of the records are entrusted 
solely to his care, and that, while the other officers of the 
Lodge are subject to incessant changes, that of the Southeast 
is usually stationary, are sufficiently explanatory.* These re- 
cords, however, show conclusively that the office of Secretary 
is directly subordinate to that of the Worshipful Master, and 
that although he may not, as in ancient times, be appointed 
by that officer, yet his first duty, as seen in the Installation Ser- 
vice is "to observe the Worshipful Master's will and pleasure." 



*This thought is equally applicable to the immense influence 
and authority thrown, in modern times, around the office of^ 
Grand Secretary, so different from the customs of a century 
past. 



THE SECRETARY'S 



SECTION SECOND. 
Qualifications of tlie Secretary, 
"With these references to the past as preliminary to our main 
subject, we proceed to sketch the qualifications ot the Secre- 
tary. He must be an expert penman ; sufficiently accustomed 
to composition to conform to the rules of orthography and 
construction of sentences; a fair accountant; familiar with 
the forms of Masonic documents and the general usages of the 
Masonic institution ; thoroughly up to the peculiar customs of 
his own Lodge ; a bold, close and faithful collector of Lodge 
monies; and well read in the Constitution of the Grand Lodge 
and the By-Laws of his own Lodge. Thus considerable expe- 
rience, education, and natural ability, joined with unblemished 
integrity, enter into the composition of a good Secretary. 
We must not forget, either, that punctuality in attending upon 
all the meetings of the Lodge, both regular* and called is 
particularly incumbent upon the Secretary ; any other officer 
may be absent with less damage to the interests of the Lodge 
than the Secretary. 



-An attempt is making of late years to substitute for the 
old fashioned word " Regular," the stilted term, " Stated." 
We would express our dissatisfaction at the change. 



SPECIAL HELP. 9 

SECTION THIRD. 
The Furniture of the Secretary. 

The Secretary's place in the Lodge is said to be "on the 
left of the Worshipful Master in the East." This, however, 
does not perfectly express the fact. If the Dais (or platform 
on which the Master sits) be supposed to occupy about three- 
fifths of the eastern end of the apartment, room is left on the 
right and left for narrow platforms; the one on the right 
(Northeast) being occupied by the Treasurer, that on the left 
(Southeast) by the Secretary. By this arrangement, a Lodge 
25 feet broad would be divided thus: 15 feet being occupied 
for the Dais on which the Master and the Past Masters sit, five 
feet is left for a platform for the Treasurer, and the same space 
for the Secretary. The space behind the Treasurer will be 
wanted in the Lodge Ceremonies; that behind the Secretary 
may properly be used for bookcases, and other furniture of his 
station ; the platform of the Secretary (and Treasurer) is 
raised one step, and that not so high as the platform of the 
Junior Warden, but a little higher than that upon which the 
private brethren sit, around the apartment. 

The Secretary must have at his command at least one desk, 
secured with lock and key, also an ample supply of stationery, 
not only for his own use but for that of his fellow members, 
and the various Committees who require it for drafting reports, 
resolutions, etc. ; sufficient lamps; strong, well-bound record 
* 



10 THE SECRETARY'S 

books; a seal and seal-press ; a supply of Lodge-blanks and 
diplomas; in short, whatever the necessities of his office sug- 
gest. If the Lodge is in circumstances to afford it, a small 
iron safe for the Secretary's use will be a good investment. 

The Secretary is ex-officio Librarian of the Lodge. Every 
Lodge is supposed to have something of a collection of books ; 
at least the published proceedings of the Grand Lodge are 
there. These must be preserved, bound in volumes and made 
accessible for reference. In addition to these, there are but 
few Lodges of later years but what have some Monitors, Song 
Books, and other practical works in their Library, while many 
are furnished with costly and valuable collections. The Secre- 
tary is held to be responsible that these books are not lost. In 
his keeping, also, are placed the full supply of By-Laws of the 
Lodge, with all other documents, written or printed, save the 
Charter, which is in the care of the Master, and the Treas- 
urer's account books. Even the Charter is often entrusted 
by the Master to the Secretary's keeping. 



SECTION FOURTH. 
The Duties of the Secretary. 
The duties of the Secretary are succinctly expressed in his 
official response found literally in the Monitor, viz.: " to ob- 
serve the Worshipful Master's will and pleasure ; to record the 
proceedings of the Lodge ; to receive all monies and pay them 
into the hands of the Treasurer." 



SPECIAL HELP. 11 

A Grand Lecturer of much experience, gave us from his 
pocket sketchbook, a brief description of eighteen Secretaries, 
taken in a succession of eighteen Lodges as he visited them. 

1. Hard of hearing; guessed at proceedings, and made 
record accordingly. 2. A fine intellect. His records read 
like historical essays, 8. Sits writing during prayer. 4. Has 
a voice like a clarion. 5. Voice i^ekle ; not heard beyond the 
altar. 6. Does not respond to the three knocks. 7. Keeps 
the Lodge-fands and pays them over " semi-occasionally" to 
the Treasurer. 8. Joins too much in Lodge debates; Secie- 
tary's^?e?t should be heard, not his tongue. 9. Insists in dis- 
bursing the Lodge funds instead of the Treasurer. 10. Is the 
. only bright Mason in the Lodge ; W. M. gets his aid at every 
pinch. 11. Sn^okes in the Southeast like a volcano. 12. Keeps 
his books " at his office ;" never has them at the Lodge when 
wanted. 13, A splendid penman; his books look like the en- 
grossing of J. W. S. 14. Regularly donates his salary to the 
Charity Fund of the Lodge. 15. A shocking bad reader and 
pronounces archives archeeves ; to hear him read his minutes 
is mortifying to good taste. 16. The Southeast too noisy; 
Secretary always has a gang of whisperers around him. 17. 
Has invented a ridiculous response, too absurd for description. 
18. Has been. a Secretary for nearly thirty years ; a glorious 
old ft- How. 

In all trials for unmasonic offenses, where testimony is to be 
taken for or against the accused, the Secretary is expected to 
be present to record it. Making up the reports to the Grand 



12 THE SECRETARY'S 

Lodge, issuing and certifying to summonses by the Master's 
order, and collecting the dues of the Lodge are matters to be 
prepared in general in the intervals of the meetings. 

As compensation for these extra services, the Secretary is 
excused from the payment of the ordinary contributions to 
the Lodge-treasury, and paid in addition a small compensation. 
It is an error to account this as payment for attending the 
Lodge meetings ; there is no more reason for paying the Secre- 
tary for attending the meetings and keeping the minutes of 
the Lodge, than the Master for performing his duties or the 
Senior Deacon for performing his. In point of fact the Senior 
Deacon's are the more arduous of the two. But because the 
Secretary is required to use valuable time between the meet 
ings he is justly allowed something for his services. As a 
general rule, this allowance is too small.* 

The following sketch of your " Specific Duties" will be found 
in the Form of Model By-laws on a subsequent page: 

In addition to those duties which appertain to every indi- 
vidual Mason, the duties of the Secretary are: 1. To observe 
the Worshipful Master's will and pleasure. 2. To record the 
proceedings of the Lodge. 3. To receive all monies. 4. And 
to pay them into the hands of the Treasurer. 5. To attend 
upon trials and meetings for taking evidence. 6. To furnish 
copies of all evidence taken on trials where an appeal to the 



*It is rarely the case, outside of cities and large towns, that 
the Secretary's allowance exceeds one dollar per month. In 
some Lodges only one half this amount is paid him. These 
sums are simply ridiculous. 



SPECIAL HELP. 13 

Grand Lodge is demanded. 7. To furnish Diplomas, Demits, 
Certificates, etc., duly signed and sealed, by order of the 
Lodge. 8. To prepare the annual reports for the Grand Lodge 
and certificates for the representatives. 9. To notify the 
Grand -Secretary promptly of all expulsions from the Lodge. 
10. To keep a book of Masonic biography for recording all im- 
portant facts relative to the Masonic history of each member 
of the Lodge. 11. To keep a visitor's book. 12. To prepare 
a balance sheet ofall the accounts of the members, and a roll 
of all who are entitled to vote ; likewise an official statement 
of his own account with the Lodge, and deliver them to the 

Master on the day of . 13. To preserve the Seal 

of the Lodge witn care, and deliver it to the Worshipful 
Master at the close of his term of office." 



14 THE SECRETARY'S 

CHAPTER II. 

FORMS FOR LODGE BUSINESS. 



SECTION FIRST. 

Form of Petition for Initiation. 

The first advances that a profane* can make towards the 
arcana of Freemasonry is through a "petition to be made a 
Mason." This ought to include the seven following facts: 

1. His name. (First name in full.) 

2. His post office address. If resident in a city, then specify 
street and number. 

3. His vocation. 

4. His age. 

5. That he has for a considerable period entertained a 
favorable opinion of the Masonic Institution.! 

6. That he makes his application unbiased by friends.:}: 



^Probably no reader of this volume need be told that the 
term " Profane" technically means a "non-Mason," an " out- 
sider." Pity there is not a better word ; but such as it is, we 
use it. 

fThat is, he is not acting upon a sudden impulse in the mat- 
ter. He has not suddenly become converted from opposing it 
to advocating it. 

%lt is not objectionable for a Mason when asked, to give his 
candid opinion in regard to the Order. The restriction applies 
only to his counseling or advising any one to become a Mason. 
This, according to the American theory, is a gross outrage, 
and would subject the culprit to Masonic discipline. 



SPECIAL HELP. 15 

1. That if admitted to share the privileges of Masonry, 
he will cheerfully obey its laws and conform to its exalted 
principles. 

The following Form of Petition, as comprising those seven 
essential points, and as being already in very general use, is 
recommended :* 

186 

To the Master, Wardens and Brethren of 

. . Lodge, No 

The undersigned respectfully represents that 
having long entertained a favorable opinion of 
your ancient and honorable Institution, he is 
desirous of being admitted a member thereof, if 
found worthy. If accepted, he pledges himself 
to a cheerful obedience to all the established 
usages and requirements of the Order. His age 

is ... . years ; bis vocation is that of a ; 

his residence is * 



Recommended by 



To this form, the applicant appends his name, with his own 
hand. It is countersigned by two members of the Lodge 
(Master Masons) who are sufficiently acquainted with his men- 

* Nearly all the forms given in this Chapter, are for sale at 
this office, printed from electrotype blocks on hard, firm paper 
of the best quality, cut exactly the proper size to suit the 
Secretary's files. Secretaries are invited to send for a sample 
of each. 



16 THE SECRETARY'S 

tal, moral, and physical endowments, to recommend him. A 
fee, regulated by the By-Laws, is added to the paper, and the 
whole placed in your hands to be laid before the Lodge at its 
next regular meeting. We would recommend you not to put 
your own name upon'a petition of this sort, still less is it 
proper for the Master or Wardens to do so. There may be 
case where such an act is necessary, but these are rare.* 

This petition being referred to a Committee is indorsed upon 
the back, with names and dates, and placed on file. 

SECTION SECOND. 
Form of Report on Petition. 
On the evening when the Report from this Committee is 
due, you will hand to the Chairman of the Committee a blank 
in the following form: 

186 

To the Master, Wardens and Brethren of 

Lodge, No 

The undersigned Committee appointed on the 

Petition of for Initiation, 

after due examination and careful inquiry, beg 

leave to report on said 

Petition. 



Committee. 

* The impropriety consists in this, that it gives too favorable 
a bias to the petition and, like the endorsement of a millionaire 
to a note, makes it " sure to go through." 



SPECIAL HELP. 17 

You will observe that the Committee give no reasons for 
their action ; they simply report " favorably" or "unfavorably." 
The matter is then put to vote. If the applicant is elected 
through the ballot box, the fee, which all this time has remain- 
ed in your possession, is passed over like all other monies- of 
the Lodge, to the hands of the Treasurer. But if the appli- 
cant is rejected, you hand the fee to one of his reoommendeis, 
taking a receipt therefor.* In no case do you part with the 
" Petition ;" that remains perpetually on file among the archives 
of the Lodge. 

There is no form of petition needed for advancing an 
Entered Apprentice through the subsequent Degrees. 



SECTION THIRD. 

Form of Petition for Demit. 

Whenever a brother desires to withdraw from the member- 
ship of the Lodge, it is proper that he should subscribe his 
name to the following form of request: 



* If you would avoid the rock on which many an honest but 
imprudent Secretary has been wrecked, never pay out a cent 
officially without "taking a receipt therefor." We can pardon 
this ridiculous appendage to th»; Secretary's response when we 
consider what an important principle is involved in it. 



18 THE SECRETARY'S 

To the Worshipful Master, Warden and Brethren 

of Lodge, No .... 

The undersigned, a Master Mason, respect- 
fully prays to withdraw from the membership of 
your Lod2;e, and asks for a certificate to that 

effect. His motives for this request are" 

Date. 

As no one is authorized to subscribe the name of another to 
a Petition for Initiation, still less may it be done upon a paper 
of this sort. You will see to it that every signature that 
passes through your hands is genuine. 



SECTION FOURTH. 

Form of a Demit. 

Should this request be granted, the Lodge will authorize 
the issuance of a Demit,f which is in this form : 

Hall of Lodge, No .... 

186.. 

To all whom these presents may come — Greeting: 

This is to certify, that Brother 



* Many Lodges do not require the brother to state his rea- 
sons for withdrawal. In such a case, leave out that clause. 

fWo spell this word "Demit," in the old style. Such 
authorities as the English historian Carlyle still preserve the 
ancient orthography. Shall Freemasonry pay less regard to 
antiquity than the Scotch cynic? 



SPECIAL HELP. 19 

a Master Mason, and a member of this Lodge, 
having paid all demands upon him for fees, dues, 
and other contributions, and being in good Ma- 
sonic repute, has this day been allowed by us to 
demit from the membership of the same. 
By Order of the Lodge, 

Secretary. 

[Seal.] 

The Seal of the Lodge, to be appended to this, may be im- 
pressed by a lever-press (the best method) or impressed upon a 
wafer (or wax) and added as you may deem best. A practice 
is gaining ground of printing the Lodge Seal from an electro- 
type upon all the official documents belonging to a Lodge.* 

Cases sometime arise where the Certificate of Demit is not 
called for. Nevertheless, we would advise you always to make 
it out when ordered by the Lodge, and if not called for, file it 
with the petition upon which it was based. You of course 
know that the brother is just as much a demitted man as 
though he had his pocket full of demits. It is the vote of ike 



* There might well be more taste displayed in the selection 
of Lodge Seals, and as this matter is distinctly in your depart- 
ment, we call your attention to it here. The plain Square and 
Compass make a good design, but somewhat hackneyed. 
The Working Tools of the Fellow Craft properly grouped, are 
pleasing. The broken Column is highly recommended. Either 
the Trowel, the Slipper, or the Letter C, standing alone, is 
appropriate. Other designs, single or combined, may be sug- 
gested by artistic minds, but we would avoid too much group- 
ing. Better one or two suggestive emblems than to copy, as 
some do, half the Trestle-board. 



20 THE SECRETARY'S 

Lodge that demits him ; not the certificate of the fact which 
you have prepared. 

Should a brother who has once received a Demit from your 
Lodge, lose it, or for any reason desire another copy, you are 
at liberty, without any further order of the Lodge, to make 
him a new one, dated, etc., like the first ; and for such service 
you have a right to make him a moderate charge. 

SECTION FIFTH. 
Form of Petition for Membership. 
Whenever a brother, residing in the vicinity of your Lodge, 
desires to affiliate with you, he must subscribe his name to the 
following form of petition: 

186 . 

To the Master, Wardens and Brethren of 

Lodge, No .... 

The undersigned, a Master Mason, late a 

member of Lodge, Xo .... under 

the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of , 

respectfully petitions fur membership in your 
Lodge, if found worthy. If accepted, he pledges 
himself to a cheerful obedience to all the require- 
ments of your By-laws, and to the established 
Hides and Regulations of the Order. His age 

is. . . .years ; his vocation that of a his 

residence is 

Recommended by 



SPECIAL HELT*. 21 N 

This petition requires two recommenders, concerning whom 
we make the same remarks as when alluding to the endorsers 
of a petition for Initiation, A fee, prescribed by the By-laws, 
accompanies the petition, which amount you will dispose of as- 
advised upon page \T. 

The Committee, to whom this petition is referred, are fur" 
nished by you with a blank Form of Report similar to that 
described in Section Second. 

On a previous page we said, while speaking of the Petition 
for Initiation, that it is not to be returned in case of rejection, 
but "remains perpetually on file among the archives of the 
Lodge." This is also the correct course to pursue with a Peti- 
tion for Membership; but if the applicant is rejected you are 
bound to return him his Demit, for that is as much his private 
property as the fee which accompanies is, 



SECTION SIXTH, 
Miscellaneous. 
That the Official Forms may all be found in juxtaposition? 
we give here the proper form of a Summons. This answers to 
what is technically called a " Due Summons," when it is issued 
by the Master's order, signed by the Secretary, sealed with the 
Lodge Seal and personally delivered by the Tyler or some one 
specially appointed for the purpose. All these essentials of a 
"Due Summons" being carefully observed, the brother who- 



22 the secretary's 

refuses to obey it places himself in a perilous position towards 
the Institution at large, and his Lodge in particular. 
SUMMONS. 

Hall of Lodge, No 

186 . 

Brother 

You are hereby summoned to attend a v 

communication of this Lodge, on 

evening, at. . . . o'clock, at the usual 

place of meeting. 

Object of the meeting : 

By order of the Worshipful Master, 

Secretary. 

[Seal.] 

We also give here a convenient Form of an Account to be 
filled up by you, and presented quarterly to the members of 
the Lodge. 

186 . 

Bro 

To Lodge. No Dr. 

To Dues to. . ..1st, 186 , 8 '.. 

Secretary. 

The regular Dues of every member of this 

Lodge are. . . .Dollars annually, payable 

commencing on the first day of in each 

year. 

In another part of this book we say: "It would not be ex- 
tremely unjust were we to charge the Secretary with the losses 



SPECIAL ttELP. 23 

that occur through the negligence of the brethren to make 
punctual payment of their dues," This is well exemplified in 
the following occurrence I 

"Brother S was elected Secretary of a certain Lodge, 

He entered upon his duties with the positive understanding 
that he was to have full authority to perform them accord^ 
ing to the rigid understanding of the term. The affairs of 
that Lodge had long been in confusion. Accounts were years 
and years behind hand. Few of the members Were less than 
twelve months in arrears. The Lodge was embarrassed with 
debts small and large, until its credit was exhausted. They 
owed everybody who would trust them, from the landlord who 
was threatening to attach their property for three years' rent, 
down to the old black washerwoman who was begging for her 
ittle fee for washing the aprons. The Grand Lodge dues were 
ten years in an ears. In brief, that Lodge was generally looked 
upon, and felt itself to be, almost bankrupt. 

" But Brother S— — took hold of its affairs like a business 
man as he was. He first devoted his leisure hours to writing 
up the records of the Lodge, which for many months had 
accumulated upon scraps and odd sheets. This led him to the 
conclusion that all the difficulties which embarrassed the 
Lodge lay in the late Secretary's neglect to collect the dues. 
Then he began and drew off every account in due form, follow- 
ing it up with a regular system of dunning. In cases where 
the brother could not pay the whole at a time, and one these 
owed as much as twelve dollars, he accepted a portion of the 
debt and dunned the brother for the rest as often as he met 
him. When they could not pay any, betook their due bills so 
as to close up the accounts. As fast as any brother's account 
was paid in full he notified the Lodge of the fact, accompany- 
ing it with commendatory remarks. As the money came in he 



24 

handed it to the Treasurer, recommending the payment of all 
debts, beginning with the poor black washerwoman. They 
were liquidated, some in whole, some in part, as the means of 
the Lodge permitted. 

"Before the year expired every account had been collected 
save the twelve dollar one, and every debt paid and the credit 
of the Lodge fully established. After this, let no one doubt 
that the financial embarrassments under which many of our 
Lodges labor, are the fault of timid and incompetent Secre- 
taries, and nothing else." 

The following is a correct form for the indictment brought 
by the Junior Warden upon charges against a fellow member, 
or demitted brother: 

Rail of * Lodge, No .... 

186 , 

The undersigned, in the performance of his 
duty as Junior Warden of this Lodge, presents 

the following charges against Brother 

a member of this Lodge,* viz. : 

That on the day of . . . , 18o . . . , at 

the of he (was intoxicated. f) 

(Signed) A .B , 

Junior Warden. 



*If a member of some other Lodge, specify the name, 
number and locality of that Lodge. If a member of no 
Lodge, say "a demitted Mason residing in the vicinity of this 
Lodge." 

f Or "did strike, etc." Fill up the blank with such speci- 
fications as the testimony will warrant. It is not Masouic 



SPECIAL HELP. 25 

If your Lodge does not support the theory that the Junior 
"Warden is the official prosecutor, then^ the above maybe 
signed by any officer or member, allowing for the necessary 
changes in form. But the large majority of American Lodges 
require this of their Junior Warden. 

The following is the proper form for a Diploma: 

To all Free and Accepted Ancient Masons on 
the face of the Globe : — . 

We, the Worshipful Master, Senior and Junior 

Wardens of Lodge, No. . . , of the most 

Ancient and Venerable Fraternity of Free and 



policy to adopt the ordinary law procedure and amplify this 
indictment by offenses that cannot be proved ; the Junior 
Warden should rather contract the charges and limit the in- 
dictment to one or more well ■ efined specifications The 
offenses that come more directly within the scope of a Lodge 
jurisdiction are seen in the Model By-laws, Chapter 7, Sec. 11, 
on a subsequent page. We give an extract from them as 
follows : 

" Offenses.- -An offense in Masonry is hereby defined to be 
an act which contravenes any clause of these By-laws ; any 
Constitutional will or edict of the Grand Lodge; any requisi- 
tion of the unwritten law of Masonry ; any law of the land or 
any law of God. The Ten Commandments constitute the 
Divine law to which Freemasons are particularly subject. The 
popular vices of intemperance, profanity, Sabbath-breaking, 
evil speaking, licentiousness and gambling, are in a special 
manner interdicted as unmasonic." 

2 



26 the secretary's 

Accepted Masons, held in , and work- 
ing under the authority of a Charter from the 

Most "Worshipful Grand Lodge of , do 

hereby certify that our worthy Brother 

, who has signed his name on the margin 

hereof, has been regularly Entered, Passed and 
Kaised to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason, 
and during his continuance with us has behaved 
himself as an honest, faithful Brother. And as 
such we recommend him to the Fraternity around 
the Globe. 

In Testimony 'Whereof 'we have subscribed our 
names and caused the seal of our said Lodge to 

be hereunto affixed, this day of , 

A. D., 186.., A. L., 586.. 

W. M. 

[Seal.] S. W. 

J. W. 

Secretary. 

The following is a good Form for notifying the Grand Secre- 
tary of an expulsion or suspension done in your Lodge. It will 
equally suffice as a notification to surrounding Lodges in cases 
where you are required to give them such notice : 

Hall of Lodge, JVo. . , 

186.. 

A.... B...., Esq., 

Grand Secretary of Grand Lodge of 

R. W. Sir and Brother : — On the .... day of 

,186. ., Mr. C D ,a Master Mason, 

and member of this Lodge, was expelled by this 



SPECIAL HELP. 27 

Lodge in pursuance of its By-laws, upon charges 

of 

By order of the Worshipful Master,* 
(Signed), E.... ¥..,., 

[Seal.] Secretary. 

You will perceive that the Form can be adapted to an En- 
tered Apprentice or Fellow Craft, and to a demitted Mason ; 
it also applies to the penalties of Suspension and Reprimand, 
as well as Expulsion. 

The following is a convenient form for a Lodge Notice: 

Hall of ... . Zodge, No . . 

186.. 

The members of this Lodge are hereby noti- 
fied that Brother Gr. . . . 11 .... , late a member of 
this Lodge, will be buried according to the rites 

of Masonry, at the on the All 

Master Masons in good standing, are fraternally 
invited to attend. * 

By order of the "Worshipful Master, 

E F , Secretary. 

Such a notice as this differs so widely from a Summons that 
it is marvelous that any one should confound the two. The 
difference may be readily conveyed in this formula, "A Notice 
tells us what we may do, a Summons what we must do. 

^Observe that in nearly all documents certified to by you as 
Secretary, the formula, " By order of the Worshipful Master," 
must be appended The theory of your office is that you "ob- 
serve the Worshipful Master's will and pleasure," and do noth- 
ing without his order. 



28 the secretary's 

It is a laudable custom in many towns and cities, to make 
notices through newspaper advertisements, of tlie Regular or 
Called Meetings of the Lodge. The following is an appropri- 
ate form for this publication : 

Hall of,. Lodge, JVo. . . 

186.. 

This Lodge will hold its regular communication 
in the. . instant. All transient breth- 
ren in good standing are cordially invited to at- 
tend. 

By order of the Worshipful Master, 

E . . . . F . . . . Secretary. 

If for a Called Meeting, insert after the date the words, "for 
work," or M for instruction," or " for discipline," etc, etc* 

Obituary notices cannot very strictly be referred to a given 
form, as the life of the deceased must furnish the proper ma- 
terial for his death-notice. But as you will be most frequently 
called upon to furnish notices of the sort, we take the occasion 
to introduce a form upon which you can readily mod'el them. 
Avoid fulsome eulogy, which is always fake eulogy, at the same 
time avoid coldness and stiffness of style : 

Whereas, It has pleased the Supreme Archi- 
tect of the Universe to summon from his labors 

•The foreign custom is to send out a special notice, in cir- 
cular form, to each member, specifying by name those who are 
to receive Degrees. In this country, we often place a written 
notice of a called meeting, in the Tyler's hands, and direct 
him to call upon all the members, or as many asmaybe practi- 
cable, and notify them in person. 



SPECIAL HELP. 29 

upon earth, our beloved Brother A. . . .B , 

calling him by His Omnipotent will to that judg- 
ment which awaits all who are toiling in this 
earthly temple ; and 

Whereas, The Masonic ties which have so long 
bound us in mutual friendship and enjoyment to 
our departed friend, are severed, no more to be 
reunited until the day when the grave shall yield 
up its dead ; therefore, 

Resolved, That we sincerely mourn this dis- 
ruption of covenanted friendship, bearing in ten- 
der remembrance his fidelity to Masonry~andhis 
devotion to the principles it inculcates. 

Resolved, That we earnestly sympathize with 
the relatives and friends of our deceased Brother, 
and tender them that consolation which the W3rld 
can neither give nor take away; and that we will 
wear the usual badge of mourning for the space 
of thirty days. 

Resolved, That a copy of this preamble and 
resolutions be forwarded to the family of our de- 
ceased Brother, and inserted in the journals of 
this place. 

It is needless to add that any important facts of a Masonic 
character, such as length of Masonic attachment ; long official 
service ; high Masonic rank and attainments; etc., etc., should 
be interwoven into an obituary notice. The age, day of death, 
and Masonic age, may well be added.- 

* There is great poverty of thought in the ordinary range of 
obituary literature. The subject deserves more study than has 
been given to it, and the Secretary is the proper leader in such 
studies. See the work on Masonic Burials, a part of the 
"Bailey Series." 



30 THE SECRETARY'S 

As the forms of Annual Reports to Grand Lodges, vary in 
every jurisdiction, being furnished in blank to the Secretaries 
of Lodges, it is superfluous to offer one here. They should be 
written out with care, the names properly spelled for the 
Standard Roll of Membership,* and the facts taken literally 
for your record. It would seem inexcusable for Secretaries to 
make the mistakes they do in Grand Lodge returns ; yet they 
are excused by scores at every grand annual communication. A 
service for a single year on the Grand Lodge " Committee on 
Returns" will show you very conclusively how much neid 
there is for a model Secretary in every Lodge. 

The following form for a certificate of representation to 
Grand Lodges, will suffice where the grand Lodges do not 
require a particular form : 

Hall of Lodge No . . 

1S6.. 

This certifies that A. . . . B is the Wor- 
shipful Master of this Lodge, having been 
installed as such on the. . . .day of . . . . 186.. 
(Signed,) E....F...., 
[Seal.] Secretary. 

The same form is applicable to one of the Wardens. If a 
brother, not an officer, is appointed by the Lodge to represent 
it in the absence of the offijer, use the following form : 

* Every member is supposed to know best how to sp.'ll his 
own name, and you are not called upon to correct his orthog- 
raphy in this matter. 



SPECIAL HELP. 31 

Hall of Lodge, No. . . 

186.. 

This certifies that at the communication of 
this Lodge, on the. . . day of . . . .186. ., Brother 
M. . . .K. . . . was elected to be our representative 
in the next Grand Annual Communication of 
the Grand Lodge. 

By order of the Worshioful Master, 

(Signed,) E....F...., 

[Seal.] Secretary. 

When an application is to be made to the Grand Master for 
a special dispensation for any purpose, the following form may 
be used : 

Hall of Lodge, No. . . 

186.. 

A B , Esq., 

Grand Master of Masons : 

M. W. Brother : — At a communication of this 
Lodge, held on the. . . . day of. . . . 186. . , it was 
resolved to petition the Grand Master to grant 
us a dispensation to confer the second and third 
degrees upon Brother . . . . D . . . . , an Entered 
Apprentice of this Lodge, without the interval 
of one month between those degrees, he being 
about to depart to a distant country, and craving 
a fuU admission to Masonic light before leav- 
ing us. 

By order of the Worshipful Master, 

(Signed,) E.... F 

[Seal.] Secretary. 



'62 the secretary's 

This form will suffice for petitions to remove the Lodge to 
another locality; to have a public procession ;* to hold an elec- 
tion of officers out of the usual course; and any other matters 
affording subjects for a request to the Grand Master. 

The above form will also suffice for a petition upon any sub- 
ject to the Grand Lodge. In every case where the Lodge action 
was unanimous, it is well so to express it in the petition. 

As you are called upon, very properly, to draw up almost 
every important resolution that is offered, you should study 
terseness, brevity and accuracy. The study of a collection of 
laws and forms, such as every Attorney keeps in his library, 
will afford you a good practice. 

In sending the Grand Master, or the Grand Lodge a petition 
for any purpose, it is highly proper that it should be accom- 
panied with a statement of the facts, circumstances and rea- 
sons attending it. This, too, comes within your department. 

We take this page to warn you against a temptation, under 
which Secretaries have succumbed to the injury of their own 
reputation and the damage of the Lodge. We allude to the 
assuming an undue share in the debates, and particularly the 
elections of the Lodge officers. After a Secretary has occu- 
pied the southeast for five or ten years, he is particularly 
liable to make this mistake. His knowledge of the Lodge 



* In some Lodge jurisdictions no Lodge is allowed to hare 
public proceedings (except funerals) without special dispensa- 
tions for the purpose. 



SPECIAL HELP. 33 

business and the necessities of the craft would seem to argue 
that his interposition upon such occasions would be accept- 
able to his fellow members. Yet we assure you that such 
interference always gives offense. There is no other officer or 
member whose frequent speaking and active part in elections 
will give so much occasion for complaint as yours. The less the 
Secretary acts, outside his official duties, the more agreeable 
he will make himself to the Lodge. The title of "Warwick, 
the king-maker," should not at all be coveted by you. Many 
instances are on record where old and faithful Secretaries 
have occasioned so much disgust by attempts of this sort as to 
destroy their usefulness, aud drive them ignominiously into 
retirement. 

It is a mistake to suppose that in the Lodge debates the 
members are simply seeking for light. Some of them are 
seeking only to express their opinions ; some to make favor- 
able impressions upon their fellow members with a view to 
future elevation ; some for other purposes. And for the older 
members and officers to occupy the hour to the exclusion of 
these, is to give offense to the very class who should most be 
propitiated ; we mean the young and rising generation. 

It is a pleasing privilege you enjoy, to correspond with Sec- 
retaries of other Lodges, Grand Secretaries, and enlightened 
Brethren, official and unofficial, throughout the world. If you 
have the requisite leisure, it is worth the extra toil and expense 
to open and maintain a large Masonic correspondence. "We 
give a list of Grand Secretaries corrected up to March, 1866. 

2* 



34 THE SECRETARY'S 

It will equally suffice for any future date, if you will -imply 
address your communication to " The Grand Secretary of the 

Grand Lodge of Freemasons of ," appending merely 

the Post-office address. Such a communication cannot well 
miscarry. 

Alabama, DANIEL SAYRE, Montgomery. 

Arkansas, WILLIAM D. BLOC HER, Little Rock. 

California, A. G. ABELL, San Francisco. 

Canada, THOMAS BIRD HARRIS, Hamilton. 

Colorado, 0. A. WHITTEMORE, Denver. 

Connecticut, JOHN W. PAUL, Hartford. 

Delaware, BENJ. N. OGLE, Delaware City. 

District of Columbia, W. MORRIS SMITH, Washington. 

England, WM. GRAY CLARKE, London. 

Florida, HUGH A. CORLEY, Tallahassee. 

France, Paris. 

Georgia, SIMRI ROSE, Macon. 

Illinois, H. G. REYNOLDS, Springfield. 

Indiani, WILLIAM HACKER, Indianapolis. 

Iowa, THEODORE S. PARYIX, Iowa City. 

Ireland, JOHN E. HYNDMAN, Dublin. 

Kansas, E. T. CARR, Leavenworth. 

Kentucky, J. M. S. McCORKLE, Louisville. 

Louisiana, SAMUEL M. TODD, New Orleans. 

Maine, IRA BERRY, Portland. 

Maryland, JACOB H. MEDAIRY, Baltimore. 

Massachusetts, C. W. MOORE, Boston. 

Michigan, JAMES FENTON, Detroit. 

Minnesota, GEO. W. PRESCOTT, St. Paul. 

Mississippi, R. W. T. DANIEL, Jackson. 

Missouri, A. O'SULLIVAN, St. Louis. 

Montana, W. F. SAUNDERS, Virginia City. 



SPECIAL HELP. 35 

Nebraska, J. N. WISE, Plattsmouth. 

Nevada, WM. A. M. VAN BOKKELEN, Virginia City. 

New Brunswick, 

New Hampshire, HORACE CHASE, Hopkinton. 

New Jersey, J. H. HOUGH, Trenton. 

New York, J. M. AUSTIN, New York. 

North Carolina, WM. T. BAIN, Raleigh. 

Nova Scotia, CHAS. J. MACDONALD, Halifax. 

Ohio, JOHN D. CALDWELL, Cincinnati. 

Oregon, J. E. HURFORD, Oregon City. 

Pennsylvania, JOHN THOMSON, Philadelphia. 

Mode Island, CHAS. D. GREENE, Providence. 

Scotland, WILLIAM A. LAWRIE, Edinburgh. 

South Carolina, A. G. MACKEY, Charleston. 

Tenncs.e*, CHARLES A. FULLER, Nashville. 

Texas, GEO. H. BRINGHURST, Houston. 

Vermont, HENRY CLARK, Poultney. 

Virginia, JOHN DOVE, Richmond. 

Washington Territory, EL WOOD EVANS, Olympia. 

West Virginia, T. H. LOGAN, Wheeling. 

Wisconsin, W. T. PALMER, Milwaukee. 

From these Grand Secretaries, and from well-known Masons 
at large, you can procure in abundance the Proceedings of 
Grand Lodges, Masonic Orations, Photographs, and whatever 
is coveted as useful or ornamental in your Lodge. Your cor- 
respondence will afford a charming feature in the ordinary 
business of the Lodge-meetings ; while your scope of Masonic 
knowledge and charity will be correspondingly enlarged. 



36 the secretary's 

CHAPTER III. 

MODEL BY-LAWS. 



SECTION 1 FIRST. 
The Importance of a Standard Code for Reference. 
In offering a model form for By-Laws, we do not expect to 
revolutionize the By-Laws of Lodges, or even to produce any 
sudden or radical alteration in those that have been long in 
use. Our object in introducing this form here is to place 
before your eye a standard, by which, when alterations in 
your own By-Laws are demanded, you can make them most 
judiciously. But few By-Laws in use are sufficiently com- 
plete to answer a sudden demand made by any novel question 
of usage or discipline. The following form, drafted in 1854, 
has been officially adopted by a number of Grand Lodges, and 
is in use in hundreds of Lodges in jurisdictions that have 
not officially adopted it. It has stood the severe test of twelve 
years' use in various sections of the country* without 
calling for essential emendation. The Secretary is, or should 
be, placed upon every committee appointed by the Lodge to 
amend the By-Laws. Should this be done while you are in the 



*There are two or three Grand Lodges that have adopted a 
different form for this. In such cases the Lodges are not per- 
mitted to deviate from them ; yet even there this model will 
have important uses. 



SPECIAL HELP. 37 

southeast of your Lodge, you should endeavor to avoid the 
foilowing errors, found to a greater or less degree, in most of 
the By-Laws in use. 

1. The imposition of fines as a Masonic punishment. 

2. Granting permision to the Lodge to suspend its By-Laws 
temporarily, upon a yote of two-thirds or three-fourths. 

3. Authorizing the Lodge to take appeals to itself from the 
decision of the Worshipful Master. 

4. Severity of punishment, such as expulsion for non-pay- 
ment of dues ; suspension for trival offenses, &c, &c. 

5. Misappropriating the duties of the respective Lodge - 
officers. 

6. Authorizing the Lodge to elect its Deacons. 

*7. Introducing the " Order of Business " as a part of the 
By-Laws, etc., etc. 

These and other errors being carefully avoided in making 
your draft of By-Laws, you should observe that the By-Laws 
that you are recommending have the following merits, viz. : 

1. A preamble, setting forth in a brief way, the history and 
purposes of Freemosonry. 

2. An incorporation of the regulations of the Grand Lodge 
constitution with your By-Laws, so far as practicable. 

3. The use of plain, unambiguous language in expressing the 
duties of officers and members, and all matters of fees, disci- 
pline, etc. 

In the form here appended, those features will be found 
thoroughly incorporated. 



38 the secretary's 



B Y-L^ V^S. 



CHAPTER I. 



THE LODGE. 

ITS TITLE, WARRANT AND MEETINGS. 

Sec. 1. The Litle of the Lodge. 

The Title of this Lodge is , Xo. . 

Sec. 2. — The Warrant of the Lodge. 

The Warrant of this Lodge is a charter granted on the 

day of , A. D. , A. L. , by the Most Worshipful 

Grand Lodge of , to whose constitutional rules 

and edicts the most implicit respect and obedience shall ever 
be paid by its members. The jurisdiction of this Lodge 
extends on every side to a point equidistant to the nearest 
Lodges, respectively. 

Sec. 3. — The Meetings of the Lodge. 

The meetings of this Lodge shall be either regular, festival, 

or called. The regular meetings shall be held on the , 

■ of each month. The hour of meeting from March 21st 



to September 22d, inclusive, shall be — o'clock ; and from 
September 22dto March 21st, at — o'clock, P. M. The hour 
of closing shall be — P. M. throughout the year. 

The order of business, at every regular meeting of the Lodge, 
shall be as follows, subject, however, to be changed at any 
time, or temporarily dispensed with, at the discretion of the 
Lodge : 

1st Reading minutes of last Regular, and all intervening 
meetings. 



SPECIAL HELP. OX 

2d. Unfinished Business. 

3d. Reports of Committees. 

•ith. Balloting. 

5th. Reception of petitions. 

6th. Motions and Resolutions, 

7 th. Work and Lectures. 

All business of this Lodse must or ginate at regular meet- 
ings, except the burial of the dead and installations; all bal- 
loting on petitions for initiation, advancement or membership, 
and all appropriations of the funds of the Lodge, must be 
done at regular meetings. 

No regular meeting can be called off beyond the day and 
night in which it was opened, and the Lodge must be regularly 
closed before the Brethern disperse. 

Degrees may be conferred at called meetings, provided the 
candidates have been. duly elected at regular meetings. 

festival Meetings, for the purposes of installation and social 
pleasure shall be held on the anniversaries of the Saints John 
(St. John the Baptist, June 24th ; St. John the Evangelist, 
December the 27th), or the day before or the day after, at such 
hour as shall have been previously designated by vote of the 
Lodsre. 

Called Meetings may be held at any time at the discretion of 
the Worshipful Master, by giving due notice to a reasonable 
number of the members for such purposes as may be strictly 
specified in the notice, and not incompatible with the laws 
and usages of Masonry. All meetings of this Lodge shall be 

held at the Masonic Hall, at , unless for funeral or other 

strictly emergent purposes the Worshipful Master may direct 
otherwise. 

No meeting of this Lodge, either regular, called or festival, 
can be. held unless the charter is present and displayed in view 
of the members present; and none be declared open until 
after devout prayer to God. 

This Lodge shall be represented at each Grand Communica- 
tion of the Grand of , when practicable. 



40 THE SECRETARY'S 

CHAPTEE II. 



THE MEMBERSHIP. 

THE MEMBERS AXD THEIR DUTIES. 
Sec. 1. — Who are Members of this Lodge. 

The members of this Lodge are all who have been or may 
hereafter be initiated or elected to membership herein, and 
who have subscribed their names to these By-Laws, not having 
demitted or been excluded for unmasonic conduct. 

Sec. 2. — The Duties of Members. 

The duties of the members of this Lodge are primarily 
divided into three classes — toward God, their neighbors and 
themselves. 

Toward God — to respect the name, and exalt the honor of 
the Grand Master in Heaven, and ever to allude to him with 
that profound respect due from the creature to the Creator; 
likewise, to love, honor, and obey the Holy Bible, the Word of 
God, as the only guide of Masonic faith and practice. 

Toward Neighbors — to do unto others as in like circumstances 
they would have others do to them. 

Toward Themselves — to avoid all irregularity and intempe- 
rance which may impair their faculties or debase the dignity 
of their profession. 

The duties of the members of this Lodge are secondarily 
divided into three classes — toward an individulal Brother, this 
Lo( 7 ge and the body of Masonry. 

loward an Individual Brother — to aid him in the hour 
of difficulty; console him in the hour of grief; relieve him in 
distress; counsel him when astray; pray for him; and avoid 
every word and act that might injure him in person, character, 
purse, or feelings. 

Toward this Lodge — to obey these By-Laws, and all others of 
its rules and edicts, as well in spirit as in letter ; to uphold all 
its lawful interests, and extend the honorof its name through- 
out the Masonic world. 

Toward the Body of Masonry — to support the Constitution 
of the Grand Lodge of the State of , which is the con- 



SPECIAL HELP. 41 

scrvator and ruler of the order in this jurisdiction, and see 
that none of the ancient landmarks of Masonry are removed 
or overthrown. 

The various " Charges" delivered monitorially to candidates 
in the symbolical degress respectively are hereby acknowledged 
to contain a correct summary of Masonic duties. Any violation 
of those rules, or neglect of the duties specified in this section 
is an offense against Masonry. 



CHAPTER III. 



THE OFFICERS. 

THE OFFICERS, THEIR ELEOTON, INSTALLATION 
AND DUTIES. 

Sec. 1. — The officers of the Lodge. 

s The officers of the Lodge shall be ranked and entitled as 
follows: 

1. The Master, whose title is Worshipful. 

2. The Senior Warden. 

3. The Junior Warden. 

4. The Treasurer. 

5. The Secretary. 

6. The Senior Deacon. 

7. The Junior Deacon. 

8. The Steward. 

9. The Tyler. 

All the officers of this Lodge, except the Deacons, are 
elective. 

The officers of Steward and Tyler may be vested in one and 
the same individual, at the discretion of the Lodge. 

Sec. 2.— The Election of the Officers. 

The election of the officers of this Lodge is considered 
under three heads, to wit : The time of election, the manner 
of election, and the eligibility of the electors. 



42 the secretary's 

The time of election shall be annual — that is to say, on the 
at such an hour as may have been designated at the 



stated meeting lost preceding. But if for any reasons the 
members prefer another day, the Lodge, by unanimous vote, 
may select the day before or the day after, at its discretion. 

Each officer, duly elected and installed, shall hold his office 
until his successor is duly elected and installed. 

The manner of election and appointment shall be as follows: 
When the day of election shall arrivp, the presiding officer 
shall open the Lodge upon the Third Degree of Masonry. 

The Secretary shall then call over the roll of all the mem- 
bers of the Lodge (Master Masons) who are entitled to vote, 
beginning with the Master, and continuing down according to 
rank and seniority. 

Nominations for the office of Master shall then be made — 
the last Master, unless excused at his own request (or with- 
drawn,) being always considered in nomination for re-election. 

The roil of voters shall be called the second time, as before ; 
and as each one's name is announced, the Senior Deacon shall 
carry the box to him and receive from him a written ballot. 

When ail the votes are thus collected, they shall be deliv- 
ered to the presiding officer to count, who, after he has care- 
fully ascertained the state of the vote, shall order the Secretary 
to proclaim the officer elected. 

While the Senior Deacon is collecting the votes, and until- 
the Secretary has made proclamation, as aforesaid, each mem- 
ber shall be silent and keep his seat. X <ne can serve as 
Master until he has first served as Warden in this or some 
other Lodge. 

After the office of Master is filled, the vote shall be taken 
for Senior Warden, for Junior Warden, for Treasurer and for 
Secretary, according to the same rules and principles. Final- 
ly, the office of Steward and Tyler shall be filled on the same 
plan, except tiiat the individual last occupying that station 
not be considered in nomination for re-election, unless 
specially nominated for the occasion. 

Immediately following the election of officers, as above de- 
scribe), the Master elect shall a mior Deacon, and 
the Senior Warden elect shall appoint a Junior Deacon, who 
shall be proclaimed by the Secretary as the other officers. 

All preferment among Masons is grounded upon real worth 
and personal merit only; therefore no Master or Warden shall 
be chosen bv seniority, but for his merit. 



SPECIAL HELP. 43 

A majority of all the votes cast shall be essential to a 
choice. 

No member present, and entitled to vote, shall be excused 
from that duty, save by permission of the Lodge, granted for 
good and sufficient reasons presented. 

No officer, duly elected and installed, can resign his office 
during the term thereof, sate by demitttng. 

The Eligibility of Electors. — Every Master Mason, a member 
of this Lodge, whose dues are paid up to the day of election, 
and who is not, at the time of election, under exclusion for 
unmasonic conduct, shall be eligible to vote, but no others. 

Sec. o. — Installation of the Officers. 

The Installation of the officers of this Lodge shall take 

place on , (unless that day come on Sunday,) or as 

soon as practicable after their election. 

The last Past Master, when present, may install the Wor- 
shipful Master elect, who may then proceed to install the other 
officers. 

The rules for installing shall be those set forth in the 
various Monitors, approved by the Grand Lodge of . 

An officer re-elected to the office in which he has just served 
one or more terms, needs not be reinstalled therein. 

Sec. 4. — The duties of the Officers. 

The duties of the officers of this Lodge are considered under 
eight heads, as follows: 

The Master. — In addition to those duties which appertain to 
every individual Mason, and those which are purely tradition- 
al, and therefore unwritten, the duties of the Master are : 1. 
To open and preside over the Lodge when present, and to 
make all necessary provision for the faithful performance of 
those duties when absent. 2. To preserve the Charter of the 
Lodge with unfailing care, and deliver it to his successor in 
office. 3. To see that these By-laws, the Constitution of the 

Grand Lodge of , and the Ancient Constitutions of 

Freemasonry, be duly understood, respected, and obeyed, by 
the members. 4. To give Masonic instruction at every meet- 
ing of the Lodge. 5. Tj take command of the other officers, 
and claim of them, at any time, advice and assistance on any 
business relative to the Craft, ft. To represent this Lodge, in 
conjunction with the Senior and Junior Wardens, at all the 



44 the secretary's 

Grand Communications of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge 

of the State of . 7. To see that the proper officers 

collect and truly keep the -moneys of the Lodge; to see that 
the furniture and other valuables are not wasted, damaged, or 
lost; and, in case the charter of this Lodge should ever be 
forfeited or surrendered, to preserve these things subject to 
the order of the Grand Lodge. 8. To draw all orders upon 
the Treasurer, but not without the consent of the Lodge. 9. 
To act upon the Standing Committee on Charity. 10. To ap- 
point all Committees except the Standing Committee on 
Charity. 11. To see that all unmasonic conduct, that comes 
to his knowledge be faithfully dealt with, according to the By- 
laws of the Lodge and the general rules of Masonry. 12. To 
guorrantee to everyone charged with unmasonic conduct, a fair 
trial, and an appeal to the Grand Lodge, if demanded. 13. 
To preside at the burial services of deceased Master Masons, 
members of this Lodge. 14. To appoint the Senior Deacon. 
15. To fill all vacant offices by pro tern, appointments. 16. To 
convene the Lodge in called meetings, whenever there shall 
appear to him an emergent occasion. 17. To install his suc- 
cessor in office. 18. To see that the worthy Brothers, visitors 
from other Lodges, have courteous attention and a welcome in 
this Lodge. 19. To give the casting vote at any time, in the 
event of a tie. 20. To appoint the Standing Committee on 
Finance on the day of his installation. 21. To read and ex-- 
pound to the Lodge the proceedings of the Grand Lodge. 22. 
To decide all questions of order subject to an appeal to the 
Grand Lodge, or Grand Master. 

Ike Senior Warden. — In addition to those duties which 
appertain to every individual Mason, and those which are 
purely traditional, and therefore unwritten, the duties of 
the Senior Warden are: 1. To succeed to and exercise all the 
powers of the Master in the event of his absence. 2. To re- 
present the Lodge, in conjunction with the Master and Junior 
Warden, at all the Grand Communications of the Most Wor- 
shipful Grand Lodge of the State of . 3. To act on 

the Standing Committee on Charity. 4. To appoint the Junior 
Deacon. 5. To take charge of the Craft during the hours of 
labor. 

The Junior Warden. — In addition to those duties which 
appertain to every individual Mason, and those which are 
purely traditional and therefore unwritten, the duties of the 
Junior Warden are: 1. To eueesed t? • " 



SPECIAL HELP. 45 

powers of the Master in the absence of the two officers above 
him. 2. To represent the Lodge, in conjunction with the 
Master and Senior Warden, at all the Grand Communications 

of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of the State of . 

8. To act on the Standing Committee on Charity. 4. To take 
charge of the Craft during the hours of refreshment. 

The Treasurer. — Ir addition to those duties which appertain 
to every individual Mason, the duties of the Treasurer are: 
1. To receive all moneys from the hands of the Secretary. 2. 
To keep just and regular accounts of the same. 3. To pay 
them out at the Worshipful Master's will and pleasure, with 
the consent of the Lodge. 4. To prepare an official statement 
of his account with the Lodge, and deliver it to the Secretary 
on the . 

The Treasurer shall promptly deliver to his successor in 
office all the funds of the Lodge, together with all the books, 
vouchers, etc., having any reference to the financial business 
of the Lodge, or to his office. 

The Secretary. — In addition to those duties which appertain 
to every individual Mason, the duties of the Secretary are : 
1. To observe the Worshipful Master's will and pleasure. 2. 
To record the proceedings of the Lodge. 3. To receive all 
moneys. 4. And to pay them into the hands of the Treasurer. 
5. To attend upon trials and meetings for taking evidence. 6. 
To furnish copies of all evidence taken on trials where an appeal 
to the Grand Lodge is demanded. h i. To furnish Diplomas, De- 
mits, Certificates, etc., duly signed and sealed, by order of the 
Lodge. 8. To prepare the annual reports for the Grand Lodge 
and certificates for the representatives. 9. To notify the 
Grand Secretary promptly of all expulsions from the Lodge. 
10. To keep a book of Masonic biography for recording all im- 
portant facts relative to the Masonic history of each member 
of the Lodge. 11. To keep a visitor's book. 12. To prepare 
a balance sheet of all the accounts of the members, and a roll 
of all who are entitled to vote ; likewise an official statement 
of his own account with the Lodge, and deliver them to the 
Master on the day of his installation. 13. To preserve the Seal 
of the Lodge with care, and deliver it to the Worshipful 
Master at the close of his term of office. 

The Secretary shall promptly deliver to his successor in 
office all the books, papers, vouchers, etc., in his possession, 
having any reference to the business of his office. 

All petitions and documents of every character, handed to 



46 the secretary's 

the Secretary, on the business of the Lodge, shall be labeled, 
filed fcr preservation, and kept in seme safe and secure place, 
and only delivered up by order of the Lodge, according to the 
evident intention of these By-laws. 

The Senior Deacon. — In addition to those duties which ap- 
pertain to every individual Mason, and those whic are purely 
traditional, and therefore unwritten, the duties of the Senior 
Deacon are: 1. To act as the proxy of the Master in the ac- 
tive duties of the Lodge. 2. To give fraternal attention to 
visiting Brethren, o. To conduct candidates in the different 
degre s < f Masonry. 

ihe Junior Deacon is appointed by the Master. 

The Junior Deacon. — In addition to those duties which ap- 
pertain to every individual Mason, and those which are purely 
traditional, and therefore unwritten, the duties of the Junior 
Deacon are: 1. To act as the proxy of the Senior Warden in 
the active duties of the Lodge. 2. To have special care to 
the security of the Lodge. 

The Junior Deacon is appointed by the Senior "Warden. 

The Steward. — In addition to those duties which appertain 
to every individual Mason, the duties ol the Steward are: 1. 
To have in charge, subject to the direct orders of the Master, 
the furniture, jewels, and other property of the Lodge. 2. 
To provide light, fuel and refreshments for the comfort of the 
Brethren. '6. To have special care to the cleanliness in the hall 
and anterooms. 

The office of Steward may be merged into that of Tyler at 
the discretion of the Lodge. 

The Tyler. — In addition to those duties which appertain to 
every individual Mason, the duties of the Tyler are: 1. To 
tyle the door, subject to the direct orders of the Master. 2. 
To serve notices, summonses, citations, etc., issued under au- 
thority of the Master and the Lodge. 

Tim duties of Steward and Tyler may be united in the office 
of Tyler at the discretion of the Lodge. 

Supernumerary Officers. — The Lodge may at its discretion, 
appoint a Chaplain, a Marshal, a Physician, an Organist, and 
• one or more Masters of Ceremonies, whose duties shall corre- 
spond with their titles. 

Each < fficer of this Lodge shall be held personally respon- 
sible to the Master, aiid, through him, to the Lodge, and to 
the Grand Lodge, that his office be filled with dignity, honor 
and correctness, and that its various duties be performed 



SPECIAL HELP. 4:7 

■without haughtiness or tyranny, but according to love, and in 
a diligent desire to exemplify the virtues and sublime morality 
of Freemasonry to the world. 

Due respect and obedience shall be paid by the members of 
this Lodge to its various officers, according to their respective 
rank and station. 



CHAPTEK IY. 



FOR INITIATION, MEMBERSHIP, ADYANCEMENT,DEMLT, 

DIPLOMA, CHARITY, APPEAL, ACTION ON 

PETITIONS. 

Sec. 1 — Petition for Initiation. 

An application for initiation into the Masonic Order through 
this Lodge, shall be made by a written petition, signed by the 
applicant's own hand, and in the following form : 
To the Master, Wardens and Brethren of Lodge, No. . 

The undersigned respectfully petitions, that, having long 
entertained a favorable opinion of youraneiect and honorable 
institution, he is desirous of being admitted a member thereof, 
if found worthy. He pledges himself to a cheerful obedience 

to ail the requirements of the institution. His age is 

years; his vocation is that of ; his residence is . 

(Date.) A B . 

This petition shall be recommended by at least two mem- 
bers, Master Masons, and delivered to the Secretary, with the 

sum of dollars accompanying it. If the Lodge consent to 

receive it, it shall be referred to a committee of three mem- 
bers, Master Masons, who shall diligently investigate the char- 
acter and standing of the applicant, and make a report to the 
Lodge at its regular meeting one month thereafter. 

The qualifications for an initiate are faith in God, hope in 
immortality, and charity (love) toward all mankind. An 
applicant shall furthermore have attained to the to the age of 
twenty-one years and be under the tongue of good report. 



4:8 THE SECRETARY'S 

Before the candidate shall enter the Lodge for initiation, he 
shall plainly declare his assent to the three following inter- 
rogations : 

1. Do you seriously declare upon your honor before these 
gentlemen, that, unbiased by friends and uninfluenced by 
mercenary motives, you freely and voluntarily offer yourself a 
candidate for the mysteries of Masonry? 

2. Do you seriously declare upon your honor before these 
gentlemen, that you are prompted to solicit the privileges of 
Masonry by a favorable opinion conceived of the institution, 
a desire of knowledge, and a sincere wisli of being serviceable 
to your fellow-creatures ? 

3. Do you sincerely declare upon your honor, befoua these 
gentleman, that you will cheerfully conform to all the ancient 
established usages and customs of the fraternity ? 

Should the applicant be rejected, the deposit fee shall be 
returned to him. Should he be elected, and fail to come for- 
ward for initiation within six months, his fee shall be declared 
forfeited, and the whole proceedings in his case null and void. 

Sec. 2. — Petition for Membershi p. 

An application for membership into this Lodge by a Mason 
regularly demitted from some other Lodge of Free and Ac- 
cepted Masons, shall be made by a written petition, signed by 
the applicant's own hand, and in the following form : 
To the Master, Wardens and Brethren of Lodge No. . 

The undersigned, a Master Mason, late a member of 

Lodge, No. , under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge 

of , respectfully petitions for membership into your 

Lodo;e, if found worthy. He pledges himself to a cheerful 
obedience to all the requirements of your By-laws, and to the 
ancient usages of Masonry as admitted among you. His age 

is vears; vocation is that of a ; his residence 

is -. C. D . 

(Date.) 

This petition shall be recommended by at least two mem- 
bers, Master Masons, and delivered to the secretary, with the 

sum of dollars accompanying it. If the Lodge consent te 

receive it, it shall be referred, lie over and be reported upon, 
as in the case of a petition for initiation. 

Xo person shall be considered a member of this Lodge until 
he shall have subscribed his name to the By-laws. 



SPECIAL HELP. 49 

Sec, 3. — Petition for Advancement. 

An application by an Entered Apprentice or Fellow-Craft. 
a member of this Lodge, for advancement to a higher degree, 
shall be made verbally through a member, a Master Mason. 

The qualifications for an applicant for a higher degree are 
thorough proficiency in the .preceding degrees, and satisfactory 
evidences that he has evinced the genuine spirit of a Free- 
mason. 

No petition for advancement shall be entertained until a 
public examination has been had, in open Lodge, upon the 
petitioner's qualifications, and an interval of at least one lunar 
month has elapsed since the reception of the preceding 
degree. 

Sec. 4. — Petition for Demit. 

An application for a demit (withdrawal), from this Lodge 
by a member hereof, in either degree, shall be made by a 
written petition, signed by the applicant's own hand, and in 
the following form : 

To the Master, Wardens and Brethren of Lodge, JSfo. — 

The undersigned, a Mason, respectfully prays to 

withdraw from the membership of your Lodge, and asks for 
a certificate to that effect. His motives for this request are 
. A B-= . 

(Date) 

This petition shall be accompanied by a certificate from the 
Secretary of the payment of the applicant's quarterage, and 
all other dues, up to the end of the quarter in which the 
petition is dated. 

No petition for a demit shall be entertained by this Lodge 
when the petitioner is under charges for unmasonic conduct 
of any sort. 

Sec. 5. — Petition for Diploma. 

An application for a diploma or certificate of present good 
standing, by a Master Mason, a member of this Lodge, shall 
be ma le verbally, and be accompanied by a certificate from 
the Secretary of the payment of quarterage and all other- dnes 
up to the end of the quarter in which the application is dated. 

3 



50 THE SECRETARY'S 

No petition for a diploma shall be entertained by this 
Lodge, when the petitioner is under charges for unmasonic 
conduct of any sort. 

Sec. 6. — Petition for Charity. 

Applications for relief from persons in distress, whether 
Masons or otherwise, must be made through some member 
or members of the standing Committee of Charity, either 
verbally or in writing. 

Sec 7. — Petition for Appeal. 

An application for an appeal to the Grand Lodge, by a 
member of this Lodge (or by a non-affiliated Mason under 
the jurisdiction of this Lodge), under sentence for unmasonic 
conduct, must be in writing, directed to the "Master, War- 
dens and Brethren," and deposited with the Secretary. 

Sec. 8. — Action on Petitions. 

All applications and petitions of every sort, except for 
charity, mnst be presented at the regular meetings of the 
Lodge. 

Applications for initiation or for membership, must lie 
over at least one lunar month from the dates of their recep- 
tion ; all others may be acted upon at the same meeting at 
which they were received. 

The vote upon applications for diplomas, demits, charity 
or appeals to the Grand Lodge, may be taken either viva 
voce, or by a show of hands, or by secret ballot, and a 
majority of votes shall decide all such questions. 

The vote upon applications for initiation, advancement or 
membership, must be made by secret ballot, and one negative 
vote shall reject. 

Every member of the Lodge present when a motion is put 
or a question stated, shall be bound to vote, unless excused 
by action of the Lodge. 

In balloting, if more than one negative vote appear, the 
balloting shall cease, and the candidate be declared rejected; 
but if, on the first ballot, one negative only appear, a second 
ballot shall immediately take place ; and if, on the second 
ballot, a negative still appear, no further ballot shall be 
taken for one year thereafter, unless by the second regular 



SPECIAL HELP. 51 

meeting thereafter the member opposing shall voluntarily 
withdraw his objections in open Lodge. 

No one shall ins-pect the ballot save the Master and War- 
dens, and no Brother shall be permitted to make known to 
another, or to the Lodge, what manner of vote he cast. 

No restriction of any sort shall be placed upon a Brother 
in the matter of voting, nor shall he be questioned as to how 
he exercised that right. 

A rejected applicant for initiation, advancement or mem- 
bership, can not again present his. petition to the Lodge 
within the space of months from the date of his rejection. 



OHAPTEE Y. 



FINANCIALS. 

FEES, CHARITY, WAGES,MANAGEMENT OF THE FUNDS. 

Sec. 1. — Fees. 

The fees are for degrees, membership, for quarterage, and 
for extraordinary contributions. 

Fees for Degrees. — The fee for the first degree (or that of 
E. A.) shall be — dollars, to accompany the petition. 

The fee for the second degree (or that of F. C.) shall be 
— dollars, to be paid before the degree is conferred. 

The fee for the third degree (or that of M. M.) shall be 
— dollars, to be paid before the degree is conferred. 

No candidate shall be initiated, passed and raised in this 
Lodge for a less sum, in the aggregate, than — dollars. 

When a degree is conferred upon a candidate at a meeting 
called for the purpose, by request of said candidate, he shall 
pay all the expenses of the meeting. 

Fees for Member si dp. — The fees for membership shall be — , 
to be demanded of each member by the Secretary at the close 
of each quarter. The first quarter shall commence on 
the . 



52 the secretary's 

I 
Fee for Extraordinary Purposes.— A fee for extraordinary 
purposes may be levied by a majority at any stated meeting 

in the discretion of Lodge, due notice to the members having 
been previously given. 

Sec. 2,— Charity. 

The duty of practical charity or alms-giving is recognized 
by this Lodge as one of the primary principles of the M 
institution. 

The Standing Committee of Charity shall have the power, 
at any time, to draw upon the Treasurer, through its Chair- 
man, "the Master, for any sum, not exceeding — dollars, in 
the discretion of the Committee, to bestow upon a distressed 
worthy Master Mason, his wife, widow or orphan child, or any 
other distressed worthy applicant. 

Sec. 3. — Wages. 

Pecuniary wages shall be paid to the Treasurer, Secretary, 
Steward and Tyler. 

The Wages of the Treasurer. — The Treasurer for his services 
as heretofore specified, shall receive the amount of his quar- 
terage. 

Wages of the Secretary— The Secretary, for his services as 
heretofore specified, shall receive the amount of his quar- 
terage, and the further sum of — dollars for each meeting he 
may attend. 

Wages of the Steward— The Stewaid for his services as 

heretofore specified, shall receive the sum of 

for each meeting at which he performs the duties of his 
office. 

Wages of the Tyler. — The Tyler, for his services as here- 
tofore specified, shall receive for each meeting 

at which he performs the duties of his office ; or, if he per- 
forms the duties of Steward in addition to those of Tyler, he 
shall receive, in addition thereto, the amount of his quar- 
terage. 

The Lodge may make such further appropriations for special 
purposes, as Masonic law and usage justify. 

Sec. 4. — Management of Funds. 

All moneys received by the Secretary on behalf of the 
Lodge, shall be handed over to the Treasurer, at or before the 
next meeting subsequent to their reception. 



SPECIAL HELP. 53 

All moneys received by the Treasurer, on behalf of the 
Lodge, shall be kept by him as a separate fund from his pri- 
vate hoard, and be at the command of the Lodge at any 
moment when drawn upon or called for. 

The Lodge, at its discretion, may loan out its funds at law- 
ful interest, under the supervision of the Treasurer, he taking 
good and sufficient security therefor. 



CHAPTEE YI. 



COMMITTEES— STANDING, SPECIAL. 
Sec. 1. — Standing Committees. 

There shall be two Standing Committees of the Lodge, viz.: 
A Committee of Charity and a Committee of 'Finance. 

Committee of Charity. — The Committee of Charity shall 
consist of the Master and the Wardens. 

The duties of the Committee of Charity shall be, to dis- 
pense the benevolences of the Lodge, so as to relieve human 
distress in the most speedy and practicable manner. 

The Committee of Charity shall have power at any time to 
draw upon the Treasurer, through its Chairman, the Master, 
for a sum not exceeding — dollars at a draft, to be bestowed 
upon a distressed worthy Master Mason, his wife, widow or 
orphan chlM, or upon any other distressed worthy applicant 
for aid. 

The Committee of Charity may take such measures, in 
employing nurses to wait upon the sick, engaging the burial 
of the dead, etc., as any sudden contingency may demand, 
and present the bills, through the Finance "Committee, for 
settlement. 

Committee of Finance. — The Committee of Finance shall 
consist of three members, Master Masons, to be appointed by 
the Master on the day of his installation. 

The duties of the Committee of Finance shall be to exam- 
ine the books, vouchers, etc., of the Treasurer and Secretary, 
from time to time, and to make a detailed report, in writing, 
at the regular meeting preceding the next St. John's clay sub- 
sequent to their appointment. Likewise, to examine and 



54- THE SECRETARY'S 

audit all bills, accounts and claims that may be presented to 
the Lodge, and report upon the same in writing. Nor shall 
any account be allowed by the Lodge until it shall have been 
examined and reported upon by the Finance Committee. 

Sec. 2. — Special Committees. 

•Special Committees shall be appointed upon all applications 
of Initiation, or Membership, and upon other items of busi- 
ness, at the discretion of the Lodge. 

Special Committees upon applications for initiation or mem- 
bership, shall consist of three members ; but upon other items 
of business, of such number as the Lodge in its discretion 
may decide upon. 

Special Committees upon applications for initiation or mem- 
bership shall report at the regular meeting one month - 
quent to their appointment ; all other special committees shall 
report at the meeting at which they were appointed, or at the 
next regular meeting after their appointment, unless the Lodge 
shall otherwise order. 

All reports of Committees shall be in writiug, unless other- 
wise ordered by the Lodge. 

All Committees, whether standing or special (except the 
Committee of Charity), shall be appointed by the Master; 
and all Committees shall • be composed of Master Masons. 

Members who are appointed to serve upon Committees shall 
feel bound in Masonic honor to give patient and diligent 
attention to the business of their appointment, and report 
their conclusions to the Lodge without fear or favor. 



CHAPTER VII. 



DISCIPLINE. 

OFFENSES, TRIALS, PENALTIES, APPEALS. 

Sec. 1. — Offenses. 

An offense, in Masonry, is hereby defined to be an act which 
contravenes any clause of these By-laws; any constitutional 
rule or edict of the Grand Lodge; any requisition of the 



SPECIAL HELP. 55 

» 
unwritten law of Masonry ; any law of the land, or any law 
of God. The Ten Commandments (Exodus, Chapter 20) con- 
stitute the divine law to which Freemasons are particularly 
subject. The popular vices of intemperance, profanity, Sab- 
bath-breaking, evil-speaking, licentiousness and gambling, are, 
in a special manner, interdicted as unmasonic. 

Non-payment of dues ; divulging the transactions of the 
Lodge to any but a member thereof; violating the secrecy 
of the ballot-box or of the Lodge ; rude behavior within the 
Lodge; neglect of family and neighborhood duties; contu- 
macy in refusing obedience to a Lodge summons, etc., are 
specially declared unmasonic. 

Reporting Offenses. — The members of the Lodge while at 
labor (the space of time occupied by the meetings of the 
Lodge), are under charge of the Senior Warden, who will 
report to the Lodge all offenses that occur during his admin- 
istration. 

The members of the Lodge while at refreshment (the interval 
between one regular meeting and another), are under charge 
of the Junior Warden, who will report to the Lodge all 
offenses that occur during his administration. 

But the Wardens, respectively, shall be allowed their dis- 
cretion whether to report trivial offenses to the Lodge or 
make them the subject of private counsel, caution and repri- 
mand. 

The report shall be in writing, and in the form of charges 
and specifications, which the Warden who presents them shall 
personally prosecute before the Lodge. 

Non-affiliating (demitted) Masons, living within the juris- 
diction of this Lodge, are under its cognizance, and shall be 
reported for unmasonic behavior in the same manner as the 
members of the Lodge. 

Sec. 2.— Trials of Offenses. 

No penalty shall be inflicted by the Lodge until after a fair 
trial and examination of evidence or confession of the fact of 
guilt shall be manifest. The manner of trial shall be as fol- 
lows: The written charges and specifications shall be filed 
with the Secretary of the Lodge, whose duty it shall be to 
have a copy thereof duly delivered to the accused, as also a 
notice which shall give a reasonable time for the taking of 
proof to sustain the charges and specifications ; also to inform 



56 the secretary's 

the accused tha? ho may at the same time and place offer proof 
to exculpate himself from such charges, and that 
may also have leave to take proof at other time and [dare 
as he may designate, upon giving seasonable notice t<> the 
Master or presiding officer oi said Lodge, for which purpose 
the Lodge shall allow a reasonable time, if asked for. And 
in all cases the whole of the testimony shall be redact 
writing, if not improper to be written, and shall be carefully 
preserved by the Secretary of the Lodge. 

Every member shall be duly tried in the Lodge opened in 
the highest degree to which he has attained: and he shall be 
allowed to remain in the Lodge during the trial and until the 
summing up of the evidence is completed. 

If the accused member has absconded, so that notice can 
not be served upon him, charges may be preferred against 

him which shall lie over months, and if the E 

shall then report that he cannot serve notice upon him, he 
shall enter a denial of the charges upon the record, and some 
Brother shall be appointed to defend him, and proof may be 
taken and the case tried as if he were present. 



Sec. 3.— Penalties for Offenses. 

The object of all Masonic penalties is declared to be two- 
fold — to vindicate the honor of Masonry and to reform the 
erring Brother. 

The only penalties recognized by this Lodge or known to 
Freemasonry, are expulsions, suspensions and reprimands. 

Expulsions. — The highest grade of Masonic punishment, is 
expulsion. It shall only be inilicted for aggravated offenses, 
or for contumacy in refusing to acknowledge subjection to the 
Lodge, or for such offenses as are notoriously subversive of 
the foundations of virtue and morality, and would therefore 
be calculated to render the Masonic institution contemptible 
in the eyes of the community. 

The Secretary shall immediately report to the Grand Sec- 
retary the names of all members, and of all non-affiliated 
Masons expelled by this Lodge from the privilege of Ma- 
sonry. 

Suspensions. — Suspensions are definite, as for a certain 
period; or contingent, upon some subsequent act of the 
individual thus suspended. 



SPECIAL HELP. D7 

It shall require a unanimous vote to reinstate a suspended 
or expelled member. 

The Secretary shall note, in the annual report to the Grand 
Lodge, the names of all persons suspended or expelled by 
this Lodge. 

Reprimands. — -The lowest grade of Masonic punishment is 
public reprimand, in open Lodge. This shall be done by the 
Master, in a manner which, while it conveys a clear idea of 
the offense thus reprehended, holds out a full measure of love 
and pardon to the repentant Brother. 

Sec. 4-. — Appeals. 

Any Brother who feels himself aggrieved by the action of 
this Lodge in the infliction of Masonic penalties, may take an 
appeal to the Grand Lodge. 

When an appeal has been granted by the Lodge, the Sec- 
retary shall prepare exact copies of all the proceedings of the 
Lodge, the evidence taken on both sides, and all documents 
used on the trial, and send said copies to the Grand Secretary, 
to be used before the Grand Lodge in the investigation of 
the case. 

A Brother suspended or expelled by this Lodge, but re- 
stored by the Grand Lodge on appeal, is not thereby restored 
to membership in this Lodge, until after petition, reference 
and clear ballot, as in the case of a demitted Mason. 



CHAPTER VIIL 



AMENDMENTS. 

Amendments to these By-Laws may be made either by 
action of the Grand Lodge or of this Lodge. 

Amendments by the Grand Lodge. — Any amendments that 

may be made by the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of , 

in her own constitutional rules or in these By-Laws, and any 
edicts or resolutions of a general character, promulgated by 
the Grand Lodge, which affect any subject embraced in these 

3* 



58 the secretary's 

By-Laws, shall be considered as so many amendments to these 
By-Laws, from the date thereof, without any formal action on 
the part of this Lodge. 

Amendments by this Lodge. — Any portion, or the whole of 
these By-Laws, may be amended or others substituted in their 
stead, at the will of the Lodge, provided the general princi- 
ples of Freemasonry, and the constitutional rules and edicts 

of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of are carefully 

maintained. But all amendments, substitutions, etc., shall be 
proposed in writing, read before the Lodge, and laid over for 
one month before the vote of the Lodge shad be taken ; and 
a majority of two-thirds of the members present shall be 
essential to the adoption of said proposition. 

No By-Laws, or any portion thereof, can be temporarily 
dispensed with except the clause relative to the Order of 
Business, and such others as are especially excepted in the 
body of these By-Laws. 



SPECIAL HELP. 59 

CHAPTER III. 

FORMS FOR LODGE RECORD. 



The following form comprises the gatherings of large expe- 
rience in the Southeast. It has stood the test of practice in 
very many Lodges. It is simple and easy of application ; 
every Secretary can understand it. It contains forms flexible 
enough to suit every description of business that can legiti 
mately occupy the attention of the Lodge. 

The Secretary should select a volume of about ten quires, 
strongly bound in leather, and each page ruled with a cross- 
line about an inch from the left hand margin of each page. 
All entries made in this volume must be done with deliberation 
and care. No original entries are made in this book. All 
minutes are kept upon loose sheets until they are read to the 
Lodge, corrected and confirmed before they pass into the Re- 
cord Book. This rule is invariable. Alterations and erasures, 
therefore, are so inexcusable that their presence in the Record 
Book becomes a matter of grave suspicion against the Sec- 
retary. The heading of the Record Book should be . 

RECORD BOOK. 

OF 

Lodge No 

HELD AT 

YOLLTME 

Begun 186.. 



60 



THE SECRETARY S 



In the first Record Book of a Lodge, the minutes relative to 
its organization should appear; also a copy of the original dis- 
pensation, and of the charter or warrant under which the 
Lodge is held. 

To make the following pages easy of use to the Secretary, 
we fill up enough of the blanks to express the name, number 
and location of the Lodge. The reader will not fail to observe 
the foot-notes to each page, as by these he will be guided in 
filling all the blanks, and adapting the formulas to every 
circumstance of the Lodge. 

1. Fidelity Lodge, ISTo. 80, Barton, Illinois, 
met in regular communication January 16, 1866. 
Lodge opened at 7 P. M., on the first degree.* 
Officers present : 

A ,. ..B ...., W. M. 



C 
E 
G 
I. 

K ....L ...., 

m ....isr...., 

O ....P...., 



...D... 

,.r ... 

,..H... 
..J ... 



...S. W. 
. ..J. w. 

. .Treas. 

. . Sec'y. 
,..S. D. 
...J. D. 

..Tyler.f 



*If on any other degree say so ; in regular practice, however 
Lodges are opened successively, beginning with the first. 

If the meeting is not the regular one, ("that is if it is either 
a colled or festival meeting), say "met in called communica- 
tion for the purpose of," &c, and add the words tv paying the 

last tokens of respect," &c, or "trying Brother A B 

upon charges of," &c, or "receiving instructions from," &c, 
as the case may be. 

Invariably leave a blank line between ench paragraph. 

fin the absence of an officer write after the name of his 
substitute the words pro tempore or p. t. 

If there are other officers in addition to the eight above given, 



SPECIAL HELP. 61 

2. Members present. (Give names in full.) 

3. Visitors present. (Give names in full, ap- 
pending to each the name and location of his 
Lodge. If demitted, say " late of," &c.)* 

4. The Lodge was called from labor to refresh- 
ment on the first degree. 

5. The Lodge was opened on the second degree. 

6. The Lodge was called from labor to refresh- 
ment on the second degree. 

7. The Lodge was opened on the third degree.f 

8. The minutes of the last regular, and all the 
intermediate communications were read and 
approved by the Lodge, and sigcled by the Wor- 
shipful Master4 



such as Chaplain, Steward, Masters of Ceremonies, Organist, 
&c, insert them in the column, the Chaplain's name following 
the Junior Warden, the others following the Junior Deacon. In 
the Canadian Lodges, the last Past Master is entered on the 
record immediately following the name of the presiding officer. 

*See remarks relative to the Visitor's book on a subse- 
quent page. As usually kept, it is totally unreliable, and the 
Secretary must depend upon his own exertions inside the 
Lodge to make a correct list of the visitors. It is a proper 
courtesy for the Master to instruct the Senior Deacon to fur- 
nish to the Secretary the names, &c, of all visitors, as a reg- 
ular part of his labors. 

The names of all Brethren present during the meeting are 
placed together as above described without reference to the 
hours of their arrival and departure. 

•[The reader must not suppose that we are endeavoring to 
teach way particular order of opening the Lodge. But as the 
above is the general custom, it is so Inserted here. So far as 
the Secretary is concerned he has but to record the facts as 
they occur. 

\\i there have been no intermediate meetings since the 
last regular one, omit this clause. 

If the Master is absent, the presiding officer now occupping 



62 the secretary's 

9. The unfinished business of the Lodge was 
called np by the Worshipful Master.* 

10. The lecture on the Master's degree, omit- 
ted at the time of the Raising of Brother IT. B. 
was given by Past Master C. D., by the Wor- 
shipful Master's order, f 

11. The Committee on the petition of Brother 



the cha ; r signs the minutes. The Secretary then subscribes 
his own name below the Master's on the left of the p 

The first business at every regular meeting of the I 
must necessarily be " reading the minutes." Without these 
the Master cannot know what business to briny before Hue Lodge. 
No vote " to dispense with reading the minutes" is ever put 
by a well instructed Master. The neglect of the Secretary to 
bring the minutes to the Lodge, subjects him to severe rebuke. 

At a called meeting or festival meeting the minutes need 
not be read. In the first place the Master's summons ex; 
the business of the meeting; in the other case it : 
by the custom of the Lodge, as announced in the By-La 

Those Secretaries who prefer the word "meeting" to that 
of "communication" are at liberty to use it. We prefer it, 
but custom has sustained the word " communication," and we 
adopt it. 

*In another part of thi3 volume is given a description of the 
" Agenda paper," prepared by the Secretary and laid before 
the Master, just before he opens the Lodge This " Agenda 
paper" contains every item of unfinisli in the record 

books; likewise all maters of business that have been placed 
in his hands since the last meeting, or laid on his table at the 
present. The items are arranged in order <>f their age. This 
"Agenda paper" is an invaluable guide to the Master in all the 
proceedings of the evening. 

flf your Lodge think this term too forcible, say " by the 
Worshipful Master's request,-'' or "direction," etc. The term 
above used, however, is the most common. 



SPECIAL HELP. 63 

E . . . . F . . . . for membership in this Lodge 
reported favorably.* 

12. On motion, resolved that the report be 
received and the Committee discharged. f 

13. Brother G. . . . H....,a member of ... . 

Lodge, ~No. . . . , at . . , was admitted 

as a visitor, upon examination, and introduced to 
the Lodge. % 

14. The Committee on the Treasurer's Ac- 
count of the last quarter, reported the account 
correct, as follows, etc.§ 

15. On motion Resolved, that the report be 
received and adopted and the Committee dis- 
charged. 

16. The Committee on the Secretary's Account 
of the last quarter, reported progress and asked 
for further time to report. |l 

*Or "unfavorably;" or "or asked for further time," etc., 
etc., as the case may be. 

•J- A Masonic Lodge, being a deliberative body adopts, to a 
partial extent, parliamentary usages,and its action upon Lodge 
business is done by motion, second and vote. Therefore many 
of the paragraphs in your record begin with the words " On 
motion." 

All final reports of Committees should be in writing, duly 
signed by the members. If the Committee only " reports pro- 
gress" and asks further time, it may be done orally. If one 
or two of a Committtee are absent, those present make their 
report as if their number was complete. 

All written reports must be labelled and filed among the 
archives of the Lodge. 

Jit is not customary to name in your Record the Committee 
on Examination. 

§The Master will instruct you whether this account is to be 
copied on your record or only filed. If the latter, you will 
add, after " correct " the words, " as on file No. — " 

|If granted, the business comes up again through the 



'■'■ 



. 



17. On motion, Resolved, that the Committee's 
request be granted. 

18. The Committee on the petition of L 

M. . . . for initiation, reported unfavorably.* 

19. On motion, Resolved^ that the report be 
received and the Committtee discharged. 

20. The Committee on Finance reported the 
account of Messrs. G. & F. for 831.17, correct, 
and recommend that it be paid f 

21. On motion, Resolved, that the Report be 
received and the amount paid.^ 

22. New business was called for by the Master.§ 

23. The ballot was spread on the petition of 
Brother E. F. for membership, and he was de- 
clared elected. 

24. Brother E. F. signed the Bv-Laws. 



" Agenda paper " at the next regular communication of the 
Lodge. It is an invariable usage that all committees must 
report progress at every regular meeting, unless specially 
excused. 

*In those jurisdictions where but one ballot is required for 
the three degrees, use the words "for admission to the light 
of Masonry. 

fThe general usage is to refer all accounts to the Committee 
on Finance for examination and audit. This is by far the best 
plan. 

Jit is upon the strength of this entry that the Master will 
proceed to draw his order upon the Treasurer for the amount, 
$31.17. 

§The distinction between Unfinished Business, or the busi- 
ness lying over from the last convocation, and Xew Bu- 
is one of sufficient importance to justify entries like these in 
the proceedings. 

|In those Lodges where subscription to the By-Laws is not 
a requisite to membership, this clause is omitted. In such a 



SPECIAL HELP. 65 

25. The ballot was spread on the petition of 
L. M. for initiation, and he was declared rejected.* 

26. The account of the Tyler, $7.70, for official 
services, was presented. f 

27. On motion, Besolved, that it be referred to 
the Committed on Finance.^ 

28. The petition of O. R. for initiation, was 
presented. 

29. On motion, Itesolved, that the petition be 
received and referred to a Committee of Inves- 
tigation. S 



case, the brother is a member the moment his election is 
announced, and you will proceed to place his name in your 
" Book of Masonic Biography." 

* Although according to the entry, a few paragraphs back, 
the Committee on the petition of E. M. "reported unfavor- 
ably," yet, agreeably to correct usage, the ballot must be 
spread ; this is never omitted. 

The instant a declaration of " rejection" is made, you should 
provide for paying back the fee to one of the petitioner's 
recommenders, taking his receipt therefor. 

•f-No officer, not even the Tyler or Secretary, can be paid 
Lodge-i lonies without a specific order from the Lodge. 

X it is a proper usage in cases of small accounts which are 
well understood by the Lodge, to move their reference to the 
Committee on Finance, " with power ;" that is, with authority 
to pay them, if found correct, without further action of the 
Lodge. In such cases the Master will draw his order upon the 
Treasurer upon the favorable report of the Committee. 

§ If the applicant is particularly offensive to any member 
of the Lodge, the motion may be to "reject the petition" which, 
if carried, disposes of it without further action. You must 
then return the fee, as advised on a previous page. 

Unless the regular fee accompanies the petition, the Secre- 
tary should not present it to the Lodge. 



60 THE SECRETARY'S 

30. The Worshipful Master sppointed as such 
Committee, Bros. J. A. and F.* 

31. Brother A. B. moved the following Reso- 
lution, which was adopted, viz.: Resolved, that 
the thanks of the Lodge be presented to Brother 
C. D. for his valuable Oration delivered at the 
last called communication.*)* 

32. Bro. "W. W. L. moved the following Reso- 
lution which, on motion, was referred to the 
Committee on Finance, viz. : 

Itesolved, That the sum of 8S.00 be appro- 
priated to the widow of our deceased Brother 
E. C. 

33. Bro. H. J. (x. moved the following resolu- 
tions, which were adopted, viz.: 

Resolved, That our next Installation shall be 
in public. 

*As soon as the apointment is made, you will hand the 
Chairman of the Committee (that is the one whose name is 
first announced by the Master) a memorandum of the appli- 
cant's name, age, etc., and the names of his two recornmend- 
ers. But the petition itself you will file and preserve in the 
archives. 

The Master appoints all committees save those excepted by 
the terms of the By-laws. 

Some Lodges have a Standing Committee on Investigation, 
to which all petitions of this character are referred. 

fit is not necessary to record in the Minutes the 8* 
to a motion. If the original motion is amended Bay, " which 
after amendment was adopted," etc. If the motion w 
tabled, postponed, referred to a committee, etc., make entries 
to correspond. The above form will answer for every char- 
acter of motion, and for every disposition that ran be made 
of a motion. 

As a general rule, motions not adopted are not entered upon 
the Record-book. In this, ho 

will instruct you: no specific rule can be given here. 
I 






SPECIAL HELP. 67 

Resolved^ That a Committee of three be ap- 
pointed to make all necessary arrangements tor 
a public Installation. 

34. The Worshipful Master appointed as such 
Committee Bros. L. M. and N. 

35. Bro. W. W. L. moved the following reso- 
lution, which was adopted, viz. : 

Resolved, That the vote to appropriate $8.00 
to Mrs. R. .C. be reconsidered.* 

36. Brother J. L. K. moved the following 
resolution, which was adopted, viz. : 

Resolved, That a Committee be appointed to 
investigate the outstanding difficulty between 
Bros. J. and B. 

37. The Worshipful Master appointed as such 
Committee Bros. A. B. and C. 

38. The Junior Warden, in pursuance of his 
official duty, offered the following report: 

Sail of Lodge, Wo .... 

186 . 

The undersigned, in the performance of his 
duty as Junior Warden of this Lodge, presents 

the following charges against Brother , 

a non affiliated Mason living within the jurisdic- 
tion of this Lodge, viz. : 

That on the clay of 186. . ., at 

the of .he (was intoxicated.) 

(Signed) A B , 

Junior Warden. 

* Almost any action of the Lodge may be reconsidered. 
This places the question before the Lodge as though it had 
• never been acted on. 



68 the secretary's 

39. Resolved, That the Lodge will proceed 
to trial upon the charges against Brother. ... as 

specified in the Junior Warden's Report,* and 

that a Committee be appointed to take the 
evidence. 

40. The Worshipful Master appointed as such 
Committee Bros. Z. B. and M. 

41. The Lodge of Master Masons was called 
from Labor to Refreshment. 

42. The Lodge of Entered Apprentices was 
called from Refreshment to Labor. 

43. Mr. L. M. was introduced and Initiated 
in due form ; the accompanying Lectures being 
delivered by the Worshipful Master, f 

44. Brother R. R. M. was examined as to his 
proficiency on this Decree. 

45. The Lodge of Entered Apprentices was 
closed.^ 



* If the Lodge "decline to proceed to trial" make your 
record accordingly. Oftentimes such matter- arc laid over to 
give time for the erring Brother to come forward and make 
proper acknowledgments. A well organized Lodge i- I v-r 
loth to go into the details of a public trial; and, unless the 
offense is gross and aggravated, the charge may readily be 
quashed by a proper show of repentance. 

fWhen, by reason of the want of time the Lecture is post- 
poned, make your record accordingly. This brings the matter 
up through the " Agenda paper" at the next regular meeting 
of the Lodge. 

JOr ''Called from Labor to Refreshment." It ie 
to call off the two lower Lodges ; , and, when the 

evening is ended, close all three by a single order. Th' 
time. The ceremony of closing three Lodges in succession is 
tedious, and drives the brethren away. 



SPECIAL HELP. 69 

46. The Lodge of Fellow Crafts was called 
from Refreshment to Labor. 

47. Brother R. R. S. was introduced and 
Passed in clue form. The delivery of the Lecture 
was postponed until the next regular convoca- 
tion. 

48. The Lodge of Fellow Crafts was closed. 

49. The Lodge of Master Masons was called 
from Refreshment to Labor. 

50. The receipts of this Communication were 
as follows : 

Dues from Brother W. A 50 

" " " Y. B 5.00 

Initiation, " M 25.00 

Passing " *S 5.00 

35.50 

51. The Minutes of the Communication were 
read and adopted by the Lodge. 

52. No further business appearing, the Lodge 
was closed at 10 P. M., in due form, peace and 
harmony prevailing.* 

By these forms, numbered here for convenience in 52 par- 
agraphs, all the business of a Lodge may be systematically 
recorded. After copying these minutes into the record-book, 
make upon the margin of each page, (left blank for the pur- 
pose,) a brief synopsis of each important paragraph. This 
facilitates the after examination of the record. A glance at 
any law-book will show you the plan. 

*The hours opening and closing must always be specified 
in the Minutes. 



70 THE SECRETARY'S 

We again remark that the sequence of paragraphs as laid 
down in this volume, is not designed to instruct tJie officers how- 
to do the business of the Lodge, but to teach the Secretary 
how to record it correctly. To young officers, however, this vol- 
ume will have its value as a general guide, except in those 
jurisdictions where Grand Lodge legislation has laid down 
standards diffeiing from these. 



BOOK OF MASONIC BIOGRAPHY. 



In every Lodge there should be something to answer the 
purpose of a Biographical book of the membership. This may 
be made either in a separate volume or in a specified portion 
of the Record-book. The following form will be found practical, 
but it may be greatly enlarged upon if thought advisable. In 
this table the Secretary should enter, in due order, the names 
of each Initiate and each Affiliated member. 

It is in such a table as this, that " the request for Masonic 
burial" should be recorded, a request so frequently made by 
brethren who appreciate at their full value those last solemn 
tokens of fraternal respect and esteem. 



SPECIAL HELP. 



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72 thf secretary's 



CHAPTER IV. 

MISCELLANEOUS SUGGESTIONS. 

1. The larger part of the instructions contained in this vol- 
ume is applicable to Secretaries and Recorders of all Mastmic 
bodies, whether Chapters, Councils, Commanderics, Consis- 
tories, Senates, Areopagi, etc., etc. The same relations be- 
tween the presiding officer and the recording officer exist in 
all of them ; and as the purposes of Masonry are the same, 
whatever may be the rituals, and as the general course of pro- 
ceedings is the same in all Masonic bodies, he who can make 
up the proceedings of a Masonic Lodge correctly, will not ma- 
terially err when he occupies the Southeast in the "higher 
bodies." 

2. In regard to' "Visitor's Books," such as are generally 
seen in the Tylers' Rooms of Lodges, are kept for the most 
part without any attempt at accuracy. A Brother of much 
experience as a lecturer, gives us the following sketch of six 
of these Visitors' Books, taken in a succession of six Lodges 
which he had visited: 

1. Not an entry had been made in it for five consecutive 
meetings. 2. The dates were misplaced, and I found I had 
antedated my name nearly a year. 3. All manner of amusing 



SPECIAL HELP. 73 

scribbling had been done in it by impatient visitors. 4. The 
leaves were torn into fragments for pipe and cigar kindlings. 
5. No location or dates were appended to the names. 6. Kept 
with care • the Tyler makes a point of admitting no one until 
he has examined his written record. 

3. No crude or undigested matter laid upon your table should 
be brought before the Lodge ; hand it back to the parties 
for revision. The time of the Lodge is too precious to be taken 
up with such things. The usages of Masonry and the By-laws of 
the Lodge specify the manner as well as the matter of business , 
and nothing is deemed fairly in your hands, as Secretary, save 
that which comes before you in due form. Yet you might 
properly hand such things to the Master for his private eye, 
if you are doubtful as to their form and correctness. 

4. Among the more noted instances of faithful service as 
Secretary and Grand Secretary, we would name the Hon. 
Philip Swigert, of Kentucky, for twenty-five consecutive years 
Grand Secretary of his Grand Lodge. Upon his retirement, 
an honorarium, for faithful service, was granted him. We 
name also the late Grand Secretary of England, who served 
for nearly fifty years in the Southeast, and who lives to enjoy 
a splendid pension from the Grand Lodge ; also the Lawries 
of Scotland, father and son, who have served their Grand 
Lodge for seventy-five years without a break ; the venerable 
John Dove, of Virginia, Grand Secretary for a period marvel- 
ously protracted, etc. Other instances exist in abundance. It 

4 



74 THE SECRETARY'S 

may be said in general that the Masonic fraternity have ever 

been appreciative of the merits of good Secretaries, both, 

Grand and subordinate, and they are no niggards in their 

acknowledgments. 

5. Just before the opening of the Lodge make out and lay 
before the Master, an " Agenda paper," as our English Brothers 
call it, that is a memoranda of the things to be done at that meet- 
ing. This is so important to the prompt and accurate man- 
agement of business, that we wonder so few of our Masters 
have learned the use of it. The following is the copy of an 
"Agenda paper" of this sort: 

AGENDA PAPER 

March 1, 1806. 

1. Report on account, Jones and Lobdeil. 

2. Peport on petition, Maria L. Ward. 

3. Peport on Committee on the case of Mrs. 
Leonard Hopkins. 

4. Standing Quarterly report on Finance. 

5. Examination of Charles Covell for F. C. 
Degree. 

6. Petition of Win. Jamison for Masonry. 

7. Petition of Samuel P. Tash for Membership. 

Tou will readily see, from a glance at this " Agenda paper," 
that it shows what unfinished business is suggested by the min- 
utes of the last communication ; also what new business lies 
upon the Secretary's table. You will see, too, what an im- 
mense advantage it gives the Worshipful Master to have before 
his eye, upon his pedestal, a prospectus of the evening's busi- 
ness. It is better than all the " Rules of Order" ever drafted. 



SPECIAL HELP. 75 

6. The author of this volume would most solemnly and 
affectionately warn you against a practice as unmasonic as it 
is dangerous, that of keeping the funds of the Lodge in your own 
possession. The grass is growing over many a heart, broken 
by the disgrace of defaulting in Lodge monies. Many a 
Secretary, whose ruin involved expulsion and ignominy, owes 
that ruin and ignominy to the habit, begun in carelessness, 
and continued under the pressure of temptation, of retaining 
funds in his own hands which he should have promptly paid 
over to Treasurer. 

You are bound to pay over to the Treasurer all the funds of 
the Lodge at every regular meeting,* and you are liable to 
be removed from office, and put under charges of malfeasance 
in office, should you fail to do so. You have no right to pay 
accounts due by the Lodge, not even your own. All must go 
into the Treasurer's hands and be 'accounted for by him. If 
the Treasurer is absent at any meeting, you must pay the 
accumulated funds into the Worshipful Master's hands, taking 
his receipt therefor. 

At the closing of the Lodge, when you read the regular 
notes of the proceedings for correction, you will call out 



* The fees upon petitions not ballotted for, are not " Lodge 
funds." Yet even those, we know many Secretaries, who per- 
sist in passing out of their own hands into the Treasurers', and 
we honor their stern integrity in the act. 



76 the secretary's 

plainly all payments made you since the last communication of 
the Lodge, giving the items and naming the total. These form 
the last entry of the minutes but one for the evening. In ad- 
dition to these details you will do well to originate new duties 
upon the subject so that the Lodge may always have, at a mo- 
ment's call, these three facts, viz. : 

1. What amount of money is on hand in the Treasury. 

2. What debts, if any, are due by the Lodge. 

3. What debts are due the Lodge. 

In acting as collector of the Lodge monies, always insist 
upon giving a receipt. We advise this both for your own 
security and that of the craft. Many a Brother has been sus- 
pended for non-payment of dues, and died in that unhappy 
condition, because of his loose dealing with the Secretary, 
involving not criminality but negligence. Adopting the prac- 
tice neither to pay out nor take in money without passing 
receipts, you will stear clear of difficulties that have wrecked 
many Lodges and their financial officers. 

1. It cannot be denied that circumstances sometimes occur 
in which the Secretary is obliged to take the Lodge books, or 
portions of them, home with him. Yet it is an unfortunate 
necessity, and should as far as possible be obviated. There is 
certainly no reason for your acquiring the account books at 
your house, as the accounts can so readily be transferred to 
loose sheets of paper and the collections based upon them. 
When we were Master of a Lodge, we ever looked uneasily 
upon the Secretary going home with the valuable and impor- 



SPECIAL HELP. 77 

tant records of the Lodge under his arm, and discouraged 
the practice as much as we could. It has cost many a Lodge 
its records. 

8. On a preceding page it is said that the charter of the 
Lodge is often entrusted, by the Master, to the Secretary's 
care. This is becoming more common than formerly, in view 
of the fact that Lodges are providing themselves more gen- 
erally with secure depositories such as desks, chests, etc., for 
the preservation of their valuables. As the care of the char- 
ter necessarily devolves extraordinary responsibilities upon 
the Secretary, it will be well here to speak of the matter. 

Everyman knows, or ought to know, the following facts, viz. : 
that the Lodge cannot work unless the charter is present, 
and that no one has any authority to handle the charter save 
the Master. As, therefore, it happens sometimes that the 
Master is absent from the meetings, he may place the charter 
in your custody. In doing so he gives you (or should give) 
these positive injunctions, that in case of his absence you 
deliver it to none save the Warden highest in rank, or in the 
absence of both Wardens, the Senior Past Master present.* 



* Our Canadian Brethren have customs under this head so 
different from the Americans that it is necessary to explain 
this sentence. In that jurisdiction a Warden cannot, wider 
any circumstances, preside. In the absence of the Master the 
Senior Past Master of right presides. This is the most im- 
portant difference between the customs of the Canadian 
Lodges and ours. There are, however, fundamental differ- 
ences in their Rituals, the discussion of which does not belong 
to this volume. 



78 the secretary's 

No matter, therefore, who may solicit the control of that 
important document, even though the whole Lodge un- 
animously instruct you to deliver to them i/ie charter, you 
must not do so. Remember that it is your first duty " to 
observe the Worshipful Master's will and pleasure; 1 ' there is 
no authority above his, save that of the Grand Master or hia 
Deputy, in presence commanding you to surrender to him the 
charter. 

The proper depository of the charter is a metal cylinder 
case, closed at the end. This will preserve it from soil and 
wear for many generations. The moment the Master (or pre- 
siding officer of the occasion) enters the hall, you will place 
it in his hands. 

9. In cases where you are compelled to be absent from the 
meetings, (such cases should but *arely occur,) you will hand 
the keys of your various depositories to the Master, accom- 
panying them with a synopsis of business placed in your 
hands since the last communication of the Lodge. Your 
papers should always be so labelled and distributed among the 
pigeon-holes and compartments of your desk that if you sud- 
denly die, your successor can take up the thread where it fell 
from your faithful hands.* It is not an inappropriate thought 
when you are about to close your desks for the evening: 
" Perhaps I shall not live to come back here ; what is it that 



* The series of Lodge-blanks for sale at this office are print- 
ed on the backs, so as to facilitate labelling and filing. 



SPECIAL HELP. 79 

remains undone that I may deserve the eulogy faithful to the 
last." 

10. At the end of every three months the dues of the Lodge 
should be collected. If a brother desires further time, let 
him ask for it and it doubtless will be given him ; but con- 
sider the money due at the close of the quarter. If he has 
taken all the steps in financial equity, he will make known 
that request before the amount comes due. Notify every mem- 
ber by written account of his indebtedness ; a form is given 
for this on a preceding page. Let it be known that among 
your most ardent wishes is this, that your books be kept balanced. 
How many a Southeast have we seen which the members 
shun, and where the only person who really seems welcome 
is the candidate ; and this because each one is in debt to the 
Lodge. 

We have wondered how the Senior Deacon, how the Master 
can rehearse the Lectures in the Lodge when he is himself 
several quarters in arrears. Where is his honesty when the 
Secretary's account-book cries out against him ? But if you 
will give every member a timely suggestion in regard to his 
account, it will be an easy matter to make your collections. 

11. It is a pleasing and a grateful charge devolving upon you 
as Secretary to make up the Masonic Biography of every 
member of your Lodge. The Secretary is the historiographer 
of the Craft As a model for his labors in this department, 
accept the following sketch : 

" Bro. J. was for thirteen years Secretary of our Lodge. A 



80 THE SECRETARY'S 

more amiable and unassuming man I never knew. His voice 
was rarely heard iu debates; never in the little caucussing 
which in our Lodge always precedes the annual elections. 
His influence, which was greater than any other member, was 
confined exclusively to the performance of his official duties, 
and the personal duties which every Mason owes to the frater- 
nity. 

"As a Masonic historian he was particularly active. When- 
ever a new member was made, either by Initiation or Affilia- 
tion, he sought from him all the facts of his birth and parentage 
and wove them into a biographical sketch. If the brother had 
any Masonic relations, they too, were noted. All matters of 
political or social elevation were noted in this sketch, and 
whatever else that reflected credit upon his life and character. 

" Whenever a member died there were all the facts necessary 
to form an obituary, not the stereotyped skeleton that appears 
in every newspaper, but something intelligent, instructive and 

illustrative of its Masonic origin. Thus, when Col. P 

suddenly died, our intelligent Secretary went at once to the 
Lodge-book and in an hour or two had sketched off a biogra- 
phical notice that filled a column in our local papers, and that 
told the world the merits and social elevation of our lamented 
dead. 

" After our Secretary's death it was found that every mem- 
ber's record had been in this way carefully brought and 
1 posted,' so to speak, to the beginning of the new year ! We 
shall long lament the loss of this intelligent man." 

To the above we add, that amongst those of the living 
who have made for themselves a name in this department, 
none are more worthy than Alfred Creigh, LL. D., of Wash- 
ington, Penn. 

12. It will assist the Secretary in clothing with life and in- 
telligence the bare forms (bones) which we have furnished him 



SPECIAL HELP. 81 

in this volume, if he will read the following sketch of the 
drama of Masonry. In nothing does the difference between 
dulness and intelligent life appear more conspicuous than 
in the contrast between different Lodges in their manner 
of working ; while some glow with light and animation, 
others stagnate in moss and mud. You can scarcely make an 
interesting record unless you have an interesting drama to 

record : 

" The love of histrionic display is universal to all ages and 
people. The rudest have their plays, ceremonies, acting ; the 
most civilized the same, under a more elegant drapery. The 
chief attraction of Masonry lies in this ; its Drama gratifies 
the universal craving for histrionic display in the highest and 
noblest forms. 

In all great plays, whether tragedy or comedy, there is a 
substantial human thought as a central figure, and its attrac- 
tion lies in the masterly working out, with human characters, 
the full developments of this thought. How grandly this is 
done in such dramas as Hamlet, Macbeth, etc., we need not 
urge. Such pieces are immortal, because man is from age to 
age the same in impulse, thought, vice and virtue. 

Masonry is a Drama, — a great one nay, the greatest one of 
all, because the oldest, farthest spread, and conveying greater 
lessons than any other. Viewed with an informed eye, it pre- 
sents, in its inimitable scenery and character, the relations 
between man and his fellows, between man and his God. 

It takes a person out from the bulk of society, choosing him 
from the mass by certain tests that have reference to the part 
he must play in life. This selection and election is highly 
Dramatic. It is the first Scene of the first Act of the great 
Drama of Masonry. 

4* 



82 the secretary's 

It prepares this selected character (the candidate) for the 
part he is to perform, as the servants in the tiring-room of the 
theater, prepare their characters for the stage. Every step iu 
this preparation is strikingly Dramatic. 

It introduces the candidate by scenic display, ancient, 
curious and impressive, before an audience that symbolizes 
Judgment, Truth, Prudence. The whole of this is thrillingly 
Dramatic. A volume might be written to illustrate this en- 
trance by the Northwest upon the Masonic stage. It is his 
birth. 

The Drama now goes on step by step, each Act and Scene 
developing new thoughts. Degree follows Degree, to the 
number of three, the first impressing Morality, with all its 
adjuncts upon the candidate ; the second informing his mind 
with the principles of Science ; the third conveying the doc- 
trines of Religion. This latter is so Dramatic, so grateful to 
the eye and ear, that it only needs the announcement that 
1 the Master's Degree is to be worked tonight,' to call together 
an audience in the poorest and shabbiest Lodge in the land. 

How impressive is the entire Masonic Drama when properly 
presented to the mind ! "We have witnessed the acting of 
most of the immortal pieces of Shakespeare and others, that 
occupy the modern stage, but there is none of them that has 
a central thought like this of Masonry. Compared with this, 
they are ' of the earth, earthy.' 

Has any of our readers an acquaintance with theatrical men 
and matters ? If so, he must have observed the extreme care 
with which everything is prepared, the properties, the scenery 
&c, that can give effect to the performance. How studious is 
every actor to commit his part (every word of it) to memory ! 
How every movement is calculated, every entrance, exit, 
crossing of the stage, etc.! How every inflection of the voice 
is contrived to add to the general effect ! And all this, too, 



SPECIAL HELP. 06 

though the play itself may be some trifling matter hardly 
worthy a sensible man's attention. Ask Bro. Edwin Forrest 
his experience on this subject, and he will say that the life of 
an actor is the most laborious and studious of all professions, 
on account of the innumerable minutixe necessary to the suc- 
cessful presentation of pieces before the public. 

If this be so with Dramatic performances of an ordinary 
character, how should it be, let us inquire, with the Drama of 
Masonry ? A play whose lessons involves all the virtues essen- 
tial to a moral life ; a play that brings up with startling force 
the revelation of a Resurrection ! The answer must be that 
every portion of this Drama should be acquired with solicitous 
and painful accuracy, and exhibited with earnest and solemn 
fidelity to the truths conveyed in it. The solemnity with 
which a Christian assemblage exhibits the Last Supper of their 
Lord: the fervor with which a Jewish assemblage receives the 
bringing-forth of the Law from its receptacle : these are the 
models upon which Masons should work in presenting the 
thrilling and matchless Drama of their craft." 

[Drama — A poem, or composition, representing a picture 
of human life, and accommodated to action. The principal 
.species of the drama are tragedy and comedy. 

Dramatic — Theatrical, not narrative. 

Dramatically — By representation. 

Theatrical — Scenic representations. — Webster.'] 

13. The form of an Account Book as kept by the Secretary, 
agrees with those of ordinary business. Each member has two 
pages, or a part of two pages to his account on the books. On 
the left hand page charge him with his quarterage and other 
contributions, as specified in the By-laws, or levied by special 



84: the secretary's 

order of the Lodge. * At the end of each quarter add up this 
column. 

On the right hand page give him credit for all payments 
made on his account, and for all allowances made him by the 
Lodge. Thus the Tyler's account is charged quarterage, etc., 
the same as other members, and credited by " services ren- 
dered" to the same amount, as well as the amount of his 
salary proper. Add up this column, at the end of each 
quarter, and carry the balance to the side to which it belongs. 
The following is a page from the Lodge Ledger, showing the 
different phases in which accounts sometimes present them- 
selves. You will observe that when a member demits he pays 
up to the end of the quarter. A member dying or being ex- 
pelled is credited by "profit and loss" to balance his account. 
An honorary member stands from year to year balanced by 
the term " honorary member." 



*Lest this remark be misunderstood, we would say that 
Lodges sometimes, though rarely, make assessments upon the 
members for special purposes. 



SPECIAL HELP. 



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86 the secretary's 

14. There is a custom among Secretaries highly reprehensible 
in itself, and calculated to give bad impressions to visitors, viz. : 
that of keeping their seats and continuing their business when 
the gavel orders the whole Lodge to rise. So far is this carried 
in some Lodges, that we have not unfrcquently heard the 
scratch of the Secretary's pen during the solemn stillness ac- 
companying Lodge-prayers. So bad and unjustifiable a habit 
only needs to be pointed out to be corrected. Let the Sec- 
retary consider himself in some tespects, a model of behavior 
to his brethren, and let the historian of the Lodge leave a clear 
record of his own pious and thoughtful attention to duty. 

15. A " Model Southeast" is thus described : 

" The Secretary, a venerable man, rising three score and ten, 
sits at a table made, under his own instructions, with a treas- 
ury of drawers, pigeon-holes, slides and recesses of every kind. 
This table is large enough for two persons besides himself, and 
there are chairs accordingly. So every brother who has a 
Resolution to draft, and every Chairman of a Committee goes 
naturally to one of those chairs, seats himself as one who 
has a right there, (as indeed he has) and finds stationery at his 
command. On the left of the Secretary, against the wall is a 
book-case containing the library of the Lodge, a snug little 
collection of a hundred volumes, not much read to be sure, 
but always ready for reference, the prominent books in it seem- 
ing to be Josephus, a Scriptural Commentary, thirty volumes 
of a uniform edition of Masonic republications and the like. 

Behind the Secretary is a large frame containing photo- 
graphs collected by the indefatigable efforts of the Secretary 
in his fifteen years' official practice. In that frame are seen 
the Masonic journalists and writers, lecturers, distinguished 



SPECIAL HELP. 87 

officials of Grand Lodges, and nearly every member of his own 
Lodge. Some of these have wreaths of cedar sprigs around 
them pointing mystically to a fact of serious import. 

"Here sits the venerable Brother , decrepit in limbs 

so that he is brought from home at every meeting of the 
Lodge, in the arms of the brethren : but clear in intelligence, 
and ardent in heart, as when forty years ago, he first made the 
circumambulation with nimble feet." 

16. The Secretary should avoid an erroneous practice, that is 
creeping into the Lodge and Grand Lodge Records of late 
years, viz. : that of ranking the Secretary above the Treasurer. 
This is no question as to which of the two offices is more hon- 
orable or more important than the other ; the only question is 
what is ancient and general usage under this head. The posi- 
tion of the Secretary on the left of the "Worshipful Master 
while the Treasurer is on the right shows in itself conclusively 
which has the higher rank; while the fact of the Tieasurer 
being installed before the Secretary, confirms the argument. 

In processions the Secretary walks upon the left of the 
Treasurer, just as the Junior Warden walks on the left of the 
Senior Warden. 

The Jewel of the Secretary in fhe American Lodges is al- 
most invariably the Cross-pens., as given upon the cover of this 
volume. 

11. In getting up a new edition of your By-laws, you ought to 
pay more attention than is usually given to appearances. A 
large, shabby pamphlet, done at a small printing office, with 
poor type, poorer ink, poorest skill, reflects nothing but dis- 



88 the secretary's 

credit upon Masons, who are said in a theoretical way, "to be 
lovers of the fine arts." By-laws should be done in the best 
style of the typographic art, set up by skillful typos, the pages 
not larger than 24mo., worked off on good paper and then 
undergoing the care of a good book-binder, who will see that 
every one of them is neat, tasty, and correctly put together. 
A collection of the By-laws in use in the 5218 Lodges of the 
United States and Canadas, is a lamentable sight to one who 
has been taught to value appearances as emblematic of skill 
and decency. Some of the City Lodges of New York have 
By-laws exceedingly beautiful ; write to their Secretaries. 

18. Should you have occasion in the performance of your 
official duty to use the Hebrew names, you will find a con- 
venient list in the 1st Chapter of 1st Chronicles. From thia 
catalogue it is easy to cull such as the following : 

KENAN, 

LAMECH, 

MIZRAIM, 

GOMER, 

JOKTAN, 

OPHIR, 

SHEM, 
ARAM, 
MIBSAM. 



SPECIAL HELP. 89 

In the 10th chapter of Nehemiah is a list much used for this 
purpose. The following is a selection from this : 

SERAIAH, 
AZARIAH, 

JEREMIAH, 

PASHAR, 

AMANIAH, 
MALCEIJAH, 

HATTUSH, 

SHEBANIAH, 

MALLUCH. 

19. It sometimes happens that a Brother "who has taken but 
one or two degrees in your lodge, removes his residence and 
desires to be transferred to the Lodge within whose jurisdiction 
he has taken up his abode. In such a case some kind of cer- 
tificate must be given to him. The following is a convenient 
form. 

Hall of Lodge, JSTo 

186.. 

By order of the Lodge, and at his own request, Brother C 

C , an Entered Apprentice, has this day been transferred 

to the care, good will and government of Lodge, 

Xo . . . . , at , he having made good pro- 
ficiency in his degree, and exemplified the exalted virtues of 
the Royal Art during the period of his connection with us. 
[Seal.] By order of the Lodge, 

Secretary. 

20. As in this age of Masonic growth, you are likely to be 
called upon to draft petitions for the organization of new 



90 THE SECRETARY'S 

Lodges, we give the ancient form used in such cases. This 
petition directed to the Grand Master (not Grand Secretary), 
requires the signatures of at least seven Master Mauons. 
To the Grand Master of Masons of the State o< : 

The undersigned respectfully represent, that we are Free 
and Accepted Master Masons ; that we are at present, or have 
been, members of regular Lodges; that having the prosperity 
■ of the fraternity at heart, we are willing to exert our best 
endeavors to prom( te and diffuse the genuine principles of 
Masonry; that for the convenience of our respective dwell- 
ings and for other good reasons, we are desirous of forming a 

new Lodge in the town of , to be named ; that, 

in consequence of this desire, we pray for Letters of Dispensa- 
tion or Warrant of Constitution, to empower us to assemble 
as a legal Lodge, to discharge the duties of Masonry, in a 
regular and constitutional manner, according to the original 
forms of the Order and the Regulations of the Grand Lodge. 

That we have nominated and do recommend 

to be the first Master, to be the first Senior 

Warden, and to be the first Junior Warden of 

the said Lodge ; and that, if the prayer of this petition should 
be granted, we promise a strict conformity to all the Consti- 
tutional Laws and Regulations of the Grand Lodge. 

(Signed by at least seven Master Masons, each giving the 
name and Location of the Lodge, of which he is or last was a 
member.) 



21. The following is the usual form of Dispensation to open 
and work a Lodge U. D. 

The Grand Lodge of , By , Grand 

Master. To all to whom these presents may come, Greeting : 



SPECIAL HELP. 91 

Whereas, it has been duly represented to me, that in the 

Town of , County of , and State of , 

there reside a number of Worthy Brethren of the Most 
Ancient and Honorable Fraternity of Free and Accepted 
Masons, who are desirous of being authorized to proceed forth- 
with to work as a regular Lodge ; and it appearing to be for 
the benefit of the Craft in general, as well as the aforesaid 
Brethren in particular,that they should be encouraged in their 
laudable endeavors and design ; and it further appearing to 
my satisfaction, that the petitioners have complied with the 
Laws and Regulations on this subject, enacted by the Grand 

Lodge: Therefore, be it known that I, , Grand 

Master of Masons, in and for the State of , by virtue of 

the power and authority in me vested, during the recess of the 
Grand Lodge, do hereby appoint our trusty and well-beloved 

Brother, = , as Master, Brother , as 

Senior Warden, Brother , as Junior Warden, 

together with their associates, Brothers , , , 

, , to assemble and work as a regular Lodge 

in the Town and County aforesaid, in our jurisdiction, by 

the designation of Lodge, U. D., and there to enter 

Apprentices, pass Fellow-crafts, and raise Master Masons, 
agreeable to the usages and customs of Ancient Free and 
Accepted Masons, and the Laws and Regulations of the Grand 

Lodge of , but not otherwise. 

And I do hereby require and enjoin the said Master 

and his Wardens, aforesaid, to make due return to this Dispen- 
sation, and returns and transcript of the work at the next 

Grand Annual Communication of , to be holden in the 

Town of , on the next, until which time, unless 

sooner revoked, this Dispensation shall continue in full force 
and effect. 

Given under the hand of the Grand Master and Grand Sec- 
retary, with the Seal of the Grand Lodge affixed, this - 



-, Grand Secretary, , Grand Master. 



92 the secretary's 

22. In preparing for the delivery of courses of Lectures to 
the Lodge during the winter months, the members will natu- 
rally rely much upon your judgment of men and themes. 
Being the Corresponding Secretary (as well as the Recording 
and Financial Secretary) your opportunities are great. We 
offer a suggestion or two upon the subject, leaving a fuller 
development of the theme to another volume.* 

There is one subject upon which a Lecture should be delivered 
to the Lodge at least once a year, that is the History of the 
Lodge itself. In this, which can be prepared by no one as well 
as yourself, should appear all the preliminary steps of the or- 
ganization; references to the original members; elaborate 
notices of those who have gone to the Silent Lodge ; the status 
of the Lodge and its prospects for the future. For such a 
resume and prospectus the following lines are adapted: 

MEMORIAL HYMN. 

We sing of those who've gone, 
The friends to memory nearest, 
Who left our Lodge forlorn, 
When youthful hopes were dearest ; 
We drop our voices low, 
And tears in silence flow — 
They're gone, they're gone, we know 
To the quiet place of death, 
To the Silent Lodge beneath, 



*The "Worshipful Master's Special Help," the third volume. 
of this series and a neat compend of the history, duties, and 
prerogatives of that exalted station. 



SPECIAL HELP. 93 

Where the green sprigs ever bloom 
In the low, low tomb. 
Best sweetly there ! 
/So mote it be ! 



Each mystic grace they had 
Our faithful souls have yielded ; 

The types that made them glad, 
Our hearts on them are builded . 
The Level, Plumb, and Square, — 
The Acacia green and fair, 
We dropped it gently there 
In the quiet place of death, 
In the Silent Lodge beneath, 
Where the green sprigs ever bloom 
In the low, low tomb. 
Rest sweetly there ! 
So mote it be ! 



We deem not they are lost, 
To Faith and Hope no craven, 

But with the white-robed host 
Who look in Love to Heaven, 
We raise our voices high, 
And call them to the sky, 
Who here in darkness lie ; 
" From the quiet place of death, 
" From the Silent Lodge beneath, 
"Where the green sprigs ever bloom- 
"From the low, low tomb. 
" Rise, Brother, rise !" 
So mote it be I 



INDEX. 



Page. 

Accounts, form of blanks, 22 

Account book, form for 85 

Biographical-book, form of, 72 

By-Laws, improvement in, 87 

Certificate for G. L. Representatives, 30, SI 

Correspondent, Secretary is Lodge-correspondent 33 

Canadian, Lodge customs, 77 

Charter, entrusted to Secretary for keeping, 77 

Charter, how preserved, 69 

Drama of Masonry, 80 

Demit, form of, 19 

Diploma, form of, 25 

Dues, to be collected quarterly, 70 

Expulsions, form for notice to G. Secretary, 26 

Files, all papers to be filed and preserved, 17 

Funeral-Lodge, form for public notice, 27 

Forms : Petition for Initiation .*_ 15 

" " " Demit, 19 

" " " Affiliation, 20 

11 " " General Dispensation 31 

" " " Lodge Dispensation 90 

" Report on Petition for Initiation 16 

" Report on Affiliation, 16 

" Petition for Demit, 19 

" " " Diploma, 25 

Forms for Due Summons, . . 22 

" Lodge-accounts, 22 

" Certificate of G. L. Representative, 30, 31 

" Charges by the Junior Warden, 24 

" Notice of Expulsion, 26 



INDEX. 95 

Forms for Agenda Paper, 62,74 

" Burial Notice, 27 

" Obituary Resolutions, 28 

" Lodge By-Laws, 38 

• " Lodge Record-book, 59 

" Biographical Table, 72 

41 Lodge Account Book, . 85 

" Grand Master's Dispensation, 91 

Historian, Secretary is Historian of the Lodge, 3 

Hymn, Memorial, 92 

Library, what constitutes a Lodge Library, 10, 86 

Librarian, he is Librarian of the Lodge, 10 

Losses, Secretary often responsible for Lodge-losses, 22 

Offenses, definition of the term, 25 

Secretaries, List of Grand, 34 

11 Descriptions of eminent, 23, 73, 79, 86 

44 Errors to which they are liable, 27, 32, 75 

" Their compensation, usually inadequate, 12 

" Historical sketch of the office, 6 

" Advantage of engaging good ones,.. 5, 23, 73, 79 

Particular duties and responsibilities, 10 

" Sketch of eighteen, 11, 12, 45 

" Qualifications of, 8 

" Furniture of, 9 

" He is the Lodge Librarian, 10 

" His Jewel 87 

Seals, suggestions as to proper emblems, 19 

Summons, form of, 25 

Visitors' Books, sketch of, 72 

"Warden, Junior, form for official charges, 24 



